Articles

The cooperation protocol signed this week Wednesday by justice system representatives comprising of Police, Office of the Public Prosecutor, Court of Guardianship, Prison & Probation Department, to tackle the rise in youth criminality is a start. This form of cooperation is not only happening on Sint Maarten, but has been recognized as a necessity in the fight for the lives of young people. For example, several U.S. Virgin Island agencies have also just this month come together joining forces to fight against what they call the increasing problem of gangs in the U.S.V.I.

The group is made up of the U.S. Attorney's Office, the V.I. Police Department, Project Safe Neighbourhoods V.I. and the V.I. Department of Education. These are just some of the agencies who have come together to form the "V.I. Anti-Gang Committee."

By almost any measure, children in the U.S. Virgin Islands are worse off now than they were 10-years ago, according to "Kids Count," an annual report on the status of children in the U.S.V.I. The report draws a picture of the challenges and trends facing youths. In eight of the 12 general categories of the report, conditions are worse now than they were in 2009 and only better in two. For example, the percentage of children in single-parent households has risen from 35.6 per cent to almost 56 per cent – more than half the children in the U.S.V.I. live with only one parent.

The U.S.V.I. is just one Caribbean nation whose youth are in peril. One U.S. law enforcement officer who deals with gangs in the United States and who was recently in Barbados says that Barbadians are in denial when it comes to gangs and that they needed to accept there was indeed gang activity on the island.

The U.S. law enforcement official said lack of family support, low self-esteem, financial opportunity and peer pressure were some of the reasons young people were joining a gang. The policeman also cautioned parents to talk to their children, enrol them in wholesome activities, and monitor what they were watching on television.

Bermuda is another island suffering from gang violence within its community. The island has sought assistance from England and more than a dozen firearms officers from the former will arrive on the island shortly to help tackle the rising gang violence.

According to Bermuda Family Centre Director Peter Carey, the breakdown of core family values lies at the root of the gang violence that blights that island. He says that it will only get worse unless Bermudians are given the support and guidance they need in the home at a young age, adding that 10 per cent of the community could be in "crisis."

From his experience, he has found that young people are desperate to belong, be valued and have a purpose, and often fall into gang culture if their home life is inadequate. Carey is of the opinion that if nothing is done now, the community will raise a generation of children who will be unable to sustain a healthy society when they become adults.

Families in chronic chaos live below the normal values for social order. This results in crime and lawlessness which is clearly evident in certain parts of Jamaica as has been seen during the state of emergency this week where criminal elements have been defying law and order.

Carey says that the crisis in youth development did not happen overnight, but happened very slowly, adding that the association with gangs show that young people are desperate to belong and be valued and have a purpose.

For society to develop children need a sense of identity and a sense of worth and that comes from those around them, such as immediate family members. Carey adds that problems of youth that exist today are the result of not acting in the past. Family cultures do not get established in a couple of years, but build over generations. He says that there is unaddressed anger and trauma and it has decayed and got worse.

I do believe that Carey's analysis of Bermuda is very much in line with what is happening on our island. Considerable investments will have to be made in the post-10-10-10 era of country status; a policy plan backed by all stakeholders as the way forward will need to be formulated by our Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour. Our future ministry will need the human resources and tools to be able to tackle our societal problems, and this is going to be a considerable investment but one well worth it.

With 10-10-10 on the horizon and approaching as each day goes by, as a nation we have to reflect on our generation of young people and whether they will be able to sustain a healthy Sint Maarten society in the future. After all, they only seek to belong, be valued and have a purpose.

Roddy Heyliger

With interest, we have taken notice of the opportunity for stakeholders to have their input in the final drafting of the Constitution for Country St. Maarten.
It requires absolutely no debate to recognize, that one of the most important stakeholders in this process are our young people, since it is them, more than anyone else, who will actually have to live according to laws as formulated in the Constitution.
Therefore we agree with a very powerful statement made by Senator, drs. Rodolph Samuel, during the radio call-in program of Lloyd Richardson on Sunday May 23, 2010.
According to the Senator the Constitution is established only once in a lifetime, but will govern the lives of our young people for a number of generations to come.
Considering all the above-mentioned and other relevant arguments, we appeal to you to allow the NEW ERA foundation, which represents young people with its objectives to promote their general wellbeing, to assist with involving them in the final drafting of this most important legal document, especially with laws that will directly or indirectly affect them. The New Era foundation have already started with a program, amongst other programs, to mold and shape the lives of young people on St. Martin and will be pleased to establish a public-private partnership to ensure that Young People understand that they too should be a part of the
constitutional process.
Allowing for such would send out a most convincing message to our young people that their role in this historical process is not only appreciated, but is an absolute condition as well.
In addition, such would also offer our young people a most constructive and needed alternative to the many temptations within our society resulting in criminal behavior which in turn is having a most devastating impact on our society.
A constitution, which is not co-authored by young people and which does not clearly address their issues will never get their support, in spite of all good intentions of adult professionals, is most definitely doomed to failure, making it a waste of time.
We appeal to you to allow for our input. In addition we believe that you should not to be pressured to finalize this most important document.
Getting it right for our people for generations to come, is far more important than meeting and succumbing to the political dead-lines of others.
In conclusion we express our hope that you will give our young people not only residing on St. Martin but also those that reside abroad, since they are our country's greatest resource and the future of this country, the opportunity together with a delegation of our foundation to meet with your Government on this vital issue.

C. Jeffrey Richardson
P.R.O. New Era Foundation

During Saturday's manifestation on the 'Treaty of Concordia', one of the speakers, a well-known politician, known for her eloquent rhetorical abilities, told the crowd gathered that she need not sign any covenant with the St. Martin people.
Bravo.
We certainly did not demand of any politician to sign or not to sign our proposed document as sign of hard commitment to the people of St. Martin.
Whether any particular politician wants to sign or not, in and of itself is totally irrelevant.
What IS relevant, is that the St. Martin PEOPLE will be able to find out who signed and who did not sign.
Consequently, the St. Martin people will be able to draw their own conclusions based on whether politicians have indicated the willingness to COMMIT themselves in writing to the 'Strengthening & preserving of the St. Martin identity, oneness and traditional way of life' which is in keeping with the spirit of the Treaty of Concordia.
Nice words, promises and rhetoric which are not backed up by written commitments, are simply empty promises and solace those who want to be fooled ...again.
So, based on the free choice of the politicians to sign or not to sign, they be identified either as patriots or as traitors of the rights of St. Martin people.
For the record.
Long gone is the time of any colonial-like 'trust me on my nice face & looks' as proof or guarantee that our future as a people will be protected by our political leaders.
We live in a modern-day age, where we can not take any 'trust me on my nice looks & face' can be taken to the 'bank' or to the negotiating table with either the Dutch and/or the Dutch and/or with others.
What counts and what the politicians will be judged on in the time to come, is whether or not they placed their 'John Henry' on the covenant with the St. Martin people guaranteeing their unwavering commitment to 'Strengthen & preserve our St. Martin identity, our oneness & our traditional way of life' which is above and beyond the spirit of the Treaty of Concordia.
Time will tell.
--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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On April 20, 2010, I received an email form my good friend, and owner of the radio-station SOS 95.9 F.M., Mr. Billy D. HAMLET.
In this email, Mr. HAMLET notified me that he had put me down as a guest speaker during the manifestation on the Treaty of Concordia, to be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Waterfront in Marigot.
Although, I do not necessarily feel comfortably speaking publicly, my response was; 'Billy, anytime you invite me to speak in the interest of St. Martin people, I will consider such wish a command to which I will comply forthwith'.
And so ever since, I have been also hearing, on a daily basis the advertisement promoting this event and the names of those invited to speak including mine.
The result has been that, I have literally been 'bombarded' with compliments from my St. Martin people.
But, far more important that that to me, are the many sentiments shared with me by my St. Martin people with the urgent request to express these on their behalf.
In addition, I had the distinct honor and privilege to caucus with a large number of very outstanding St. Martiners, who gave me their input, support and blessing that, whatever I said that night, would be regarded as also speaking for them.
This has been a very humbling experience to me and I wish to thank therefore each and every St. Martiners for his/her support and trust to be their voice and I pledge to make a lasting impact that will go far above and beyond the usual nice rhetoric.
In ending, I hope and pray that the good Lord will put the right words in my mouth when I address you the St. Martin people on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Waterfront in Marigot.
Also I hereby wish to express my sincerest thanks to Mr. Billy D. HAMLET for having the courage to invite me, a non elected public-office holder to share the platform with those who have been duly elected in public office.

Love and respect,

Leopold James

On May, 5th 2010, an appeal was made to the people of Saint Martin to gather and support Mr Robert ROMNEY, Head of the Department of Education on the Northern side of the island.
Indeed, few brave Saint Martiners came out and showed their concern. I would like to thank them for taking such a bold stand in supporting the committee. We went through the streets of Marigot and were welcomed at the Collectivity Hall by Mrs Claire Javois Guion-Firmin with some of her colleagues and her staff. We discussed the matter and Mrs Guion-Firmin proposed that a motion be voted on the next Territorial Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 11th.
Effectively, that motion was proposed to the council and voted unanimously by the councilors. In that motion, not only was asked the maintain of Mr Romney but also that the situation of bilinguism be considered seriously and officially in order to allow equal chances to all children studying here on French Saint Martin. It was also unanimously demanded that Saint Martin be given a fully organized department of Education with decision of power and more autonomy. This is known as a Vice Rectorat.
I personally, as a union leader, knew what was going to happen! On Friday, I received a call from Guadeloupe telling me that Mr Romney's position was open for candidacy as he won't be in Saint Martin from September 1st 2010!
My question is addressed to the ruling party UPP : Why have you been so supportive to President Sarkozy's party since nothing you ask for is granted to you ???? What is the purpose of us being represented at the National level since we cannot decide what we want for our island? Was Article 74 just a masquerade for the People of this country ? When are you going to stop the lip service that you give to the people? Are you really for we the Saint Martin people?
How longer will you, politicians, betray the people of this country? We have the issue with Mr Romney, we have the issue with the Hospital! How long will you accept that Saint Martiners be wiped out of the building of their country?
St Barths is continually giving us lessons on how to govern ! It seems that there is a policy for the rich and a policy for the poor! St Barths with 1 300 schoolchildren was given a Head of Department ! Saint Martin has 9 000 and Mr Romney was doing the job by himself !
Saint Martin is good to all who come to her, why not to us, her children?
I am appealing to you, the people to come out on Wednesday, May 19th to defend the right to justice, the right to respect, the right to work and live as first class citizens in our country! How long are we going to accept the humiliation and the disrespect ?
Up to this date, Mr Romney was never informed officially of his transfer to Guadeloupe! His work was never evaluated and more important, any civil servant when removed from his position without his agreement is considered having received a disciplinary sanction!
If Mr Romney was sanctioned,then , can the Recteur of Guadeloupe tell us what were his faults ?
SAINT MARTIN PEOPLE, IT IS TIME FOR US TO DEFEND OURSELVES ! WE NEED TO BE RESPECTED IN OUR COUNTRY !
Let us not forget that government is OURSELVES and not some alien POWER over US !
The ULTIMATE RULERS are the voters of this country!!!
Aline Choisy

Dear Hanae,

You did not only make your grandma, Aline CHOISY and keynote-speaker and historian Daniella JEFFRY proud of you.
You made ALL of us feel very proud of you.
Among all of those who attended that ceremony on Saturday May 1, you were THE 'star'... OUR St. Martin's bright star....
Hanae, please continue in the footsteps of your great ancestors, do your best at school, aim for the stars and never let anyone discourage you in achieving whatever YOU believe in.
You have it in you to lead this country into a bright future and we need bright, smart and proud leaders like you.
Love you.
On behalf of all proud St. Martiners,

Leopold JAMES, president SNBF/L'Esprit de Concordia
Jeffrey RICHARDSON, PR-Officer of the New Era Foundation

With Sint Maarten on its way to country status, preparations for the long-term development of the nation and creating a solid economic and financial foundation to the benefit of the people have to start from today.

When 10-10-10 arrives, we should be able to hit the ground running shifting our attention, outlook and thinking of currently an island territory and part of the Netherlands Antilles constellation, to that of country Sint Maarten.

The new parliament of country Sint Maarten will have the opportunity to develop the legal framework and enhance existing legislative regulations – that would be passed from the Netherlands Antilles to the country - to ensure the country's economic growth. Growth can only come by expanding what exists or by creating new sectors and enterprises.

For example, the island is a magnet for private jets and mega-yachts. Two areas that country Sint Maarten Government could develop are a registry for aircraft and one for ships – "Sint Maarten Civil Aviation Authority" and a "Sint Maarten Maritime Authority."

Once we have the legislation in place and the statutory body to run and develop these new sectors, as a nation we can move forward in promoting Sint Maarten as a registry of choice for owners of an affluent, sophisticated demographic with high disposable incomes with corporate and private aircraft and the same can be said for vessels and mega-yacht owners. Sint Maarten provides a safe, stable and friendly flag.

The development of the aforementioned will create jobs and bring in additional revenues for the country Sint Maarten government.

Another new economic opportunity for progress that country Sint Maarten Parliament and Government should develop is the financial services sector. We should put our efforts into becoming a centre for international financial services and thereby creating new employment opportunities for our college graduates and at the same time creating additional revenues for the country.

Tourism is our main economic pillar and employment creator, however, the reality is that it creates mostly low skill paying jobs and not many management level jobs for Sint Maarten college graduates.

Therefore, we currently suffer a brain drain of human resources where many of our best and brightest remain in Holland and the United States/Canada. Those that do return struggle to find employment commensurate with their educational level and skills.

These aforementioned areas of new economic opportunity should be a priority for which ever government takes the reins of power to govern the nation for a four-year period on 10-10-10. We need strategies to grow the economy to achieve sustained and inclusive growth thereby improving the living standards of our people in a post 10-10-10 country Sint Maarten era.

Roddy Heyliger

Maho:--- The body of a man of Africa decent was found in the area of the old convention center in Mullet Bay on Monday. Prosecutor Rienk Mud said the dead man is unknown to police and they are calling on the community to come forward if they know of anyone that went missing.
Mud said the man was killed by someone and his death is not accidental neither did the man died of natural causes. With the recovery of the dead man the police is now investigating the third murder for the year 2010.
They are Christian Lloyd, Angela Georges and the unknown victim discovered on Monday. Police already had some ten murder cases that were under investigation from previous years and is still unsolved. Some of the recent cases include, David Eustace, Priest, Yuan Sam from Afoo group, and Haresh Dayalani who was killed in front of his Cole Bay home last year.
According to reports reaching SMN News the man was found shirtless lying on his back with visible marks of violence about his body. According to reliably information, the victim died from severe wounds to his head.
It is not clear if the victim of the latest homicide is residing on St. Maarten or if he was visiting the island.
A press release from police spokesman Ricardo Henson states that police was called just around midday informing them of the dead body that was located in the Mullet Bay Area.
Henson said several police patrol and members of the detective department were sent to the scene to investigate the gruesome discovery. Henson said on the scene police found a man of dark complexion, lying on his back in the open space where used to be the Mullet Bay Convention Center. Henson said the man bled from several wounds that was on his head and body. Already police has determined the case as a criminal investigation in their preliminary reports. Police is yet to identify the man as well as the cause of death.
Henson said the police department is calling on the community to identify the now dead man whom he said is about 5feet 9inches tall, dark complexion, strong posture, and he is either in his late twenties or early thirties. The victim head is shaven bald, and he has no facial hair. At the time of the discovery he was in shorts and no shirt. The victim he said has two tattoos on his left shoulder, one bearing the name Mikaila Paula, or Zoila and or Rolia. The other tattoo is two hands comming together in prayer.
The Police Department is asking anyone of the general public or a family member who may recognize this person based on description that is given to contact the Detective Department on the Phone number 54-22222 ext. 222/224/225 or they can also call 911 to give information to be able to establish the identity of the victim. Also the Police Department is asking the general public who may have any information with regard to this criminal act to also give the Detective Department a call and pass on this information.

...

GREAT BAY (GIS)—The Department of Health Care/VSA/ Ministry of Health Care, Labor, and Social Affairs has engaged in measures to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito that can spread dengue fever.

Besides the fogging that is planned for the next two weeks, the department sent out personnel to canvass the neighborhoods, advising persons on preventive measures on how to get rid of the source of mosquito breeding.

A team of eight (8) persons went into the different neighborhoods and advise people on what to do around their homes to eliminate mosquito breeding places in decreasing the mosquito population.

Mr. Gerald Peters, the epidemiologist, said that the best way to deal with the source of the breeding, is to get rid of clean stagnant water. So first, people have to get rid of all stagnant water locations, from old tires lying around to plant pots that have stagnant water in them to well-sealed cisterns, among other actions that can be taken.

The areas that were visited are Belvedere, Cole Bay, Middle Region, Sucker Garden, Cay Hill, Cay Bay, Guana bay, Dutch Quarters, Hope estate, Middle region, Fort Willem, Defiance, Over the bank, Sucker Gardens, Naked Boy, The Quays, South Reward, St. Peters, St. Johns, Cul de Sac and Ebenezer. These areas were the biggest concentration, where persons have been infected with the virus/disease Dengue according to the available data.

In executing this task, there were some challenges, which ranged from the normal circumstances like people not being home to mechanical issues and at times, some people simply did not open the doors to speak, they thought that the workers from the Public Health were immigration officers, and even when they knew that the workers were from Public Health they still didn't open their doors.

This effort to rid the districts of mosquitoes is one intervention or strategy in the fight against minimizing the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is the carrier of Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorragic Fever.
The project started on March 15, 2010 and ended on May 15, 2010.

The aim, over the two-month period was to reach about 10,000 homes with the information/consulting campaign that will inform each householder.

The results of the project were:
1. A total of 9,360 premises were inspected.
2. One thousand three hundred and eleven (1311) containers inspected.
3. The officers eliminated 850 containers that were liable to breed mosquitoes.
4. A total of 743 breeding sites found.

The House Index from the exercise was eight percent (8%). This means that for every 100 premises inspected, eight (8) were breeding the Aedes Egypti mosquito. The Internationally accepted House Index is below five percent (5%).

The fogging campaign, another intervention/strategy in the battle of minimizing the mosquito population started May 16, 2010, the aim is to fog the entire Dutch side of the island.

The time for fogging will be done mostly at 4:30 to 6:30am, and the 5:00pm to 7:00pm in areas and on days when traffic will not pose a challenge. In the evening time (5:00 to 7:00) is when the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are in flight and you would get a greater knock down.

The mosquito usually bites at dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day. Householders are kindly asked to open their windows when the spraying is in operation.

Fogging eliminates the adult mosquitoes the wrigglers in the breeding source are not eliminated with fogging but with decrease mosquito breeding source/places.
The Collective Preventive Department is monitoring the spraying operation.

GREAT BAY,– As part of Emergency Services Week (EMS), on Tuesday representatives of the Ambulance Department presented brochures and posters to representatives of the tourism sector, namely Sonesta Great Bay Beach Hotel & Casino General Manager Keith Graham and Ayanna Guy of the Sint Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA).

Ambulance Department Head Cylred Richardson pointed out that the main pillar of the island's economy is tourism. "The receptionist and telephone operators at hotels need to know how to reach the ambulance department quickly in the event of an emergency.

"We have provided brochures and posters to the sector so they can provide these to their members. The SHTA represents a large number of tourism related organizations. We want to reach out to everybody and inform them of the ambulance emergency number which is 912," Richardson told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Wednesday.

The Ambulance Service which falls under Sector Public Health is committed to providing timely pre-hospital medical care and transport for the sick or injured persons 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The service has a staff of 24 which include ambulance nurses, certified driver assistants, ambulance dispatchers, a medical adviser, support staff and management.

The paramedics and emergency medical technicians are trained in pre-hospital emergency medical management of patients with medical conditions and traumatic injuries.

If you have difficulty reaching the 912 emergency number for whatever reason, the other two numbers that you can call are 5206262 or 542-2111.

Philipsburg: --- Vice President of the Democratic Party Board Stuart Johnson has submitted his resignation to the party's leadership, candidates and other members of the Democratic Party via an email on Tuesday confirmed Party leader Sarah Wescot Williams.
Wescot Williams was not willing to say exactly why her vice president has chosen to resign. She said the Democratic Party has called a board meeting which will be held early this week to discuss the resignation of Stuart Johnson. "I prefer to leave the details of Johnson's resignation to the boards" says Wescot Williams on Sunday when she was contacted by SMN News for a comment.

SMN News has been reliably informed that Johnson indicated to the members of the Democratic Party on numerous occasions that they need to involve the younger generation in the political process. Sources said Johnson believes that the younger generation should be fully involved in the building of St. Maarten especially now that the island is about to achieve its new status.

The source said the party's vice president has expressed his concerns on several occasions about the lack of board meetings within the Democratic Party. They said the board met since late last year as the party was preparing for the federal elections. It is further understood that while the party council meetings have been held regularly no board meeting was held thus keeping Johnson out of the loop as to how the Democratic Party intends to contest the upcoming island election. It is understood that Johnson indicated to the members of the Democratic Party that country St. Maarten should be built with all hands on deck including the younger generation. SMN News understands that Johnson has indicated to the party membership that he does not feel he was fully involved in the ongoing process. It is understood that the party's vice president also indicated to the membership that he cannot hold a position to occupy an empty seat instead he wants to be fully involved in the political development of St. Maarten.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—The Ambulance Department will be commemorating Emergency Medical Services Week (EMS) next week to bring awareness about what its personnel do on a daily basis and how the public could better understand the department's role in the community. To begin the awareness campaign, Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson was present to accept a brochure and a poster by Head of the Ambulance Department Cylred Richardson and other staff members, namely: Tynisha Arrindell, Menno Wierda, and Arcides Cristina.

Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson was pleased to be present and provided a few words said he was honored to accept on behalf of the Executive Council the newly created brochure and poster for the Ambulance Department before the official start of the 'Emergency Medical Services Week' which will commence this Sunday May 23, 2010 as indicated by Mr. Cylred Richardson (Head of the Ambulance Department).

The brochures and posters depict more of the initiatives being taken by the New Ministry of Public Health and the Ambulance Department to fully inform the general public of the necessary steps that can be taken to ensure their continued safety during emergency situations.

It is always important for the general public to feel comfortable and safe in emergency situations. The Ambulance Department in my opinion has taken an important step in ensuring that sense of security for the general public by introducing the team of the department in the brochure and organizing a week of activities.

My staff and I have already made sure that the poster is featured proudly in the office and I would like to encourage the general public to do the same.

I understand that there will be a number of activities during the upcoming EMS week intended to fully inform the public of the services of the department. I would like to wish the organizers much success and ask the general public to come out and support our ambulance department during the activities and at all times considering the important work that they do for our community.

The theme for this week 'anytime, anywhere we will be there' is a strong and accurate theme for this department, considering the strides that have been made to improve the department over the last months."

Cylred Richardson, the head of the Ambulance Department, explained the theme is "Any time, Any where, We will be there", during this period we have intensified the promotional activities which are aimed at giving the public more information on how to make use of the ambulance services.
Tynisha Arrindell pointed out that EMS Week is not just about Ambulance workers, but about all emergency responders—Police, Fire Department, Emergency room nurses, including the their counterparts on the French side.

There will be a church service, radio station interviews, presentation of posters and brochures, an open house, motorcade, among other activities.

Arrindell urged the public to take part in the activities in whatever way they can.

On February 21st, 2010 Saint-Louis Stars Association and St Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation joined forces to offer best chances possible to youth talent in the field of soccer.

In continuation of this wonderful effort, Saint-Louis Stars and Sint-Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation are participating jointly in the international tournament " Disney Memorial Soccer Shoot Out" in World Disney Orlando Florida from May27 to June 1st 2010, whereby more than 500 teams from various parts of the world (well known in soccer) will part take.

The full delegation of the French and Dutch side consists of 68 people and are registered in the categories: under 9, 10, 11 and 12 years old. Joint practices have been set up through which the children are prepared mentally, emotionally and physically for this event.

The cost of this wonderful experience for our boys is US$1060 per persons including all related fees.

Not wanting to disappoint the kids nor to forfeit our representation at such immense soccer meeting, all possible efforts are made to make the project a reality and to offer the young athletes a time they will surely never forget. At this difficult time of a recession, sponsors are willing but very limited.
Parents have given but many other fund raisers still need to be done.

To seal the budget, a plan of action has been put together to raise said funds in the form of a DOLLAR DRIVE strategically placed in the area of Marigot. The team leans on the population to associate by putting a dollar or more in our boxes Saturday, May 22nd 2010 from 9to 12 noon. Should for some reason our boxes do not cross your path and you would like to give saint louis stars can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0590690626966.

GREAT BAY,– Commissioner of Personnel Affairs Xavier Blackman, is currently in Tallahassee, Florida on a working visit which entails meetings with Sint Maarten students studying in Florida and other officials of government and government bodies.

Blackman has already met with Sint Maarten students and representatives of the Sint Maarten Tallahassee Student Association at the Tallahassee – Sint Maarten Foundation office. The commissioner spoke about the importance of returning home to the island to help with building country Sint Maarten.

Blackman gave a historical perspective on constitutional affairs leading up to the recent passing of the Consensus Laws by the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament thereby paving the way for the island to become a country on 10-10-10.

Commissioner Blackman encouraged students to be pro-active in applying for job openings within the public sector. His overall message to the students was, Sint Maarten needs you!

Commissioner Blackman left the island on Monday accompanied by Head of Study Financing Calvin Mardembrough, Claudette Charles Hassell, Advisor to Commissioner Blackman on Personnel Affairs, and Rodney Richardson Head ai of the Government Information Service (GIS).

Blackman and his delegation are being guided by Sint Maarten Student Florida Coordinator Arthur Lugisse who has also organized a number of meetings with City of Tallahassee and Leon County government officials.

Commissioner Blackman expressed his satisfaction with the Tallahassee-Sint Maarten Foundation and their ongoing efforts based on the City of Tallahassee – Sint Maarten sister agreement which is beneficial to the islands public and private sector development.

Blackman and his delegation are scheduled to return on Thursday, May 6.

GREAT BAY--- A number of Sint Maarten students studying at various educational institutions in Florida graduated from college over the past weekend.

Leader of Government Commissioner of Education William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Tuesday that he is very proud of what Sint Maarten students have been able to accomplish on their journey of life long learning.

Commissioner Marlin added that the educated youth are the vanguard of the nation who will be leading country Sint Maarten.

Those graduating over the weekend were Tamara Groeneveldt (Masters of Social Work), Tashira Richardson (Bachelor of Science) and Sade Hodge (Associates of Arts). Rox-Anne Hughes, Jose Brown and Eljah Gipson all made the honors list with a grade point average of between 3.0 – 3.49, also graduated, but were not present for the ceremony.

Sint Maarten Student Coordinator for the State of Florida Arthur Lugisse, told the GIS that he is looking forward to many more Sint Maarten students getting the opportunity to get their higher education at one of Florida's colleges and universities under the City of Tallahassee – Sint Maarten Sister City agreement.

Tony Award winner and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Alumna, Anika Noni Rose was the keynote speaker. In 2006, Rose starred in "Dreamgirls," as Lorrell Robinson. Her career includes notable performances on television and in film. Her role in Disney's latest animated feature, "The Princess and the Frog," makes her the first black-animated princess, Tiana.

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences, FAMU-Florida State University (FSU) College of Engineering, College of Law, School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, Environmental Sciences, and Tallahassee Community College graduated over the weekend.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Florida A&M University at Alferd Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium FAMU and at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.

Philipsburg:--- The Philipsburg Cultural Center was packed to capacity on Thursday night as members of the St. Maarten community paid their tribute to the late Sir Ian Michael Valz.
Sir Ian as he is known was described by many to be a perfectionist, dedicated and one that love theatrics. Valz was also accredited to being a man who strived for the best and one that demanded the best from his actors.
Speaking of his sternness when training actors for plays was Claudette Labega Foresight, Acting Lt. Governor Millicent De Weever, Erno Labega, Richard Gisbson Sr, Jerry Sardine, The St. Maarten Guyanese Foundation, PJD2 Radio and several others who were fortunate to have worked with Sir Ian Valz.
Valz was also known to be a confidant and mentor to many people both here on St. Maarten and Guyana his native country. Many said Valz devoted his life on St. Maarten to nurture arts, theater and culture even though he knew that there were not much financial benefits for him.
Funeral services for the late Sir Ian Michael Valz will take place at the Emerald Funeral Home on Friday.

Marigot:---J & J Productions & Uprising Star Promotions announces the hosting of 'St. Maarten/St. Martin International Fashion Festival' - an amalgamation of the Miss Model International and the newly established St. Maarten Fashion Week.

Fashion Festival will consist of two major components, namely St Maarten Fashion Week which will be held from July 5 to July 9 (at a venue to be announced), and The Miss Model International Contest which will be held at Festival Village on Saturday, July 10, starting at 8:00pm.

The "Miss Model International"™ pageant was introduced in 1990 on St Maarten in order to foster and facilitate valuable interaction among world youths to promote a better understanding of the different cultures and way of life in different parts of the world.

Over the years, this contest has been held between St Martin and Martinique. It is not a beauty contest, but a modelling contest involving some of the upcoming and most outstanding models who will be able to use it as a platform or passport to new and exciting opportunities.

Some of our past participants include Lara Dutta of India, who won Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus and Miss Katarina Stocesova, of the Czech Republic who won Queens of the World 1998 in Bonn (Germany).The contest has been featured on many television programmes in the Caribbean, North and South America, Europe (France 3, Outremer) and Asia.

We are expecting more than fifty models to participate in "Miss Model International"™ each representing their country of origin.

We also expect the fashion component to cater to more than thirty (30) local, regional and international designers and models (Including from Asia, Africa, Europe, The Americas and the Caribbean). The Designers will exhibit their clothing through fashion shows, over a number of days. This will culminate in a final event, which has been dubbed the 'Fashion Extravaganza'.

This event will feature the creations of top designers participating at the Fashion Week. Awards – including "THE SOULIGA FASHION AWARD" - will be presented to the most outstanding designer(s), and the best model(s).

At the Fashion Festival, other players from the fashion sector – including stores, boutiques, and clothing distributors and agents - will have prominent roles. The rational underpinning this idea is to create a major marketplace, where buyers and sellers can meet, and interact and conclude business deals.

Celebrities and media houses from The United States, South America, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Asia have shown interest in the Fashion Festival. Moreover, a two-hour television programme will be produced and broadcast on CaribVision and RFO Satellite. This programme will include all of the activities of the Fashion Festival during the six-day period.

This event will be produced, directed and choreographed by world renowned fashion guru, Travis Winkey, who is an icon in the fashion industry. He has choreographed a number of events over the years, including a luncheon for Donald Trumps' Miss USA Pageant and the Congressional Black Caucus. He has also worked throughout the world directing and producing Fashion events.

The St. Martin Fashion festival is an eye opening event. It is expected that this event will serve as an engine for the development of the creative sector, which will ultimately contribute to the further diversification of the local economy.

It is also expected that as a result of the festival, St. Maarten/St. Martin, will be able to better leverage itself, not only as a destination where sea, sun and sand reign supreme, but also as a fashion capital and the centre of commerce for the entire Caribbean region.

In summary, these are some of the benefits that will result from Fashion Week:

• Niche event for the island, which can be used as a marketing tool;
• This will help to create parallel commercial activity;
• This will help to provide greater impetus to the creative sector;
• This will help establish St Maarten as a major Fashion Capital;
• This is not only a fashion showcase event, but rather, this is in the mode of a trade event, which culminates with a fashion showcase. In the medium term, this event will bring together both buyers and sellers, who are involved in the fashion industry.
• Through this event, it is expected that synergies will be created with other sectors, such as tourism; apparel; commerce etc; etc.

One of the by-products of this event is the creation of an "International Market Place" where designers, buyers, stores, and boutique owners can meet and interact, with hopes of establishing and nurturing business contacts throughout this global village. We've invited buyers and sellers from across the globe, in an attempt to create a much more amicable and reciprocal atmosphere for those patrons of the fashion industry.

The Miss Model International will be broadcast via CMC Television Network, RFO Tv
France Antilles News Papers, Amina Magazine, Creola Magazine, and host of international, and regional Press will be covering this event.

PHILIPSBURG - The University of St. Martin (USM), will be holding a lecture with the theme "How Prepared are we?" tonight from 7pm to 10pm with Minister of Constitutional and Home Affairs Roland Duncan and ministerial attaché and advisor Terry J. Peterson being the main speakers.
This lecture hailed as the 'Duncan Lecture' is free to the general public and is part of a series of lectures, of which the main objective is to inform the community and bring about more consciousness on the constitutional status.
According to USM President Josianne Fleming-Artsen, the lecture series will be offering the community of St. Maarten an opportunity to hear from government officials and other experts in their fields who are participating in building country St. Maarten.
Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles recently passed the 'Duncan Law' or the Transition Regulation Early Elections which paves the way for St. Maarten to move closer to Country status. Minister Duncan is expected to address the finer details of 'Duncan Law', and the preparedness of country St. Maarten, as we step out of the Netherlands Antilles.
Minister Duncan was also a delegate to the second Chamber discussions where St. Maarten and Curacao were given the green light to become country by 10.10.10. He was instrumental in the entire dismantling process and will be updating the public on this matter.
Accompanying Minister Duncan is his special advisor Mr. Terry Peterson and his presentation is entitled "Country St. Maarten: Forging New Alliances."
" Country St. Maarten is well positioned to be a catalyst in fostering new relationships and forging creative alliances of functional cooperation, coordinating policies, establishing treaties and exploring other models of integration with regional and international entities such as the OECS, CARICOM, ACP, OAS, EU, UN and their respective agencies," Peterson states in his summary.
USM President Fleming said she is very enthusiastic about the lecture series and hopes that the members of the general public come out in large numbers to attend these.
All the lectures are free. The USM lecture hall has a seating capacity for about 200 people and attendants are urged to be on time.

GREAT BAY,– Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson says government is committed to a healthy environment and strong communities, and therefore will be embarking on a two-week mosquito fogging campaign.

Mosquitoes are nuisances to humans and they transit diseases. Some of these diseases can kill. To prevent these diseases such as dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever, the mosquito population must be kept at a low level at all times. The most effective way to control the mosquito population is to get rid of their breeding sources.

A vehicle –mounted fogging system will start on Sunday, May 16 for two weeks. One machine can cover up to 1500 houses. The vehicle will be driving at approximately 10 miles per hour. This is necessary in order to ensure good fog penetration and coverage to achieve the desired results.

Commissioner Richardson pointed out that to achieve sustainability of a successful vector control programme, it is essential to focus on larval source reduction and to have complete cooperation of the community.

"In order to adopt an integrated approach to mosquito control by including all appropriate methods which are safe, cost-effective and environmentally acceptable, the support of the community is a pre-requisite.

"This is necessary to achieve long-term, sustainable control of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. House-holds and businesses need to continue to take their own preventive actions as well in order to prevent mosquito breeding," Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson told the Government Information Service (GIS).

The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) of Sector Public Health, Social Development & Labour, is coordinating the two week vector control campaign.

GREAT BAY:----The first poster printed for the 8th annual St. Martin Book Fair, June 3 – 5, 2010, was presented here on Monday to director of tourism Regina Labega (R), said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph. Book Fair Committee (BFC) member Ari Sutton (L), made the presentation of the poster at the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB), headed by Labega. The STB is the steadfast partner of the book fair, which has "Nativity" as its theme this year.

The poster lists the main parts of the literary festival and highlights the featured authors: Gerard Jadotte (Haiti), Lori Tharps (USA), Christian Campbell (The Bahamas), Lasana M. Sekou (St. Martin), M. NourbeSe Philip (Canada), Verene Shepherd (Jamaica), Raphaël Confiant (Martinique), and Carolyn Cooper (Jamaica). Reiph said that the entrance to all book launches, book selling exhibitions, workshops and general sessions "over three exciting days," will be free to the public. This opening ceremony takes place at the University of St. Martin on June 3, at 8pm. The Conscious Lyrics Foundation and House of Nehesi Nehesi Publishers organize the St. Martin Book Fair in collaboration with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, the Collectivity of St. Martin, and the University of St. Martin.

Philipsburg:---The members and management of District Band would like to make it clear to all of their fans that at no time did any member of the District Band attack members of St Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) as stated in an article published by the Daily Herald on Tuesday. As a matter of fact, members of management upon learning that Officials Band had won band of the year and seeing the reaction of other bands outside of the village decided to seek clarification from SCDF. The question posed by District Band to SCDF President and Vice President was: Were the rules changed and when were they changed? As a matter of fact, when District Band musical manager approached SCDF, no member of Official was present.
Contrary to what was also published in the newspaper, District Band did pass inspection and met the dress code requirement as stipulated by SCDF.
The issue at hand was that the bands were dumbfounded that the vice president of SCDF after making the rules could stand and announce Officials Band as the winner knowing that the band did not play at the opening of Carnival and as such did not meet the criteria as agreed upon by all bands in a meeting prior to carnival. It was not a matter of who should be band of the year, because District Band is a group of young people who were mentally prepared by management to go out there and have clean fun and make music that revelers would enjoy and talk about for the rest of the year. District Band achieved what they set out to do as they made a great impression on the people of St. Maarten and visitors alike.
It is quite unfortunate that this fiasco took place, leaving carnival with yet another black eye. We do maintain that the bands all rocked this year and we congratulate all of them on a job well done. Keep your head up and always remember to hold yuh balance and don't let SCDF put you down.

The Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI) Jamaica Ltd. has fallen in breach of insurance regulations in that jurisdiction, but President of the ICWI Group Paul Lalor has reassured policyholders that company branches in St Maarten and St. Kitts and Nevis will not be affected. This comes in the wake of recent statements made by a key official of another insurance company in St Maarten.

In a recent media interview published on www.sknvibes.com in St Kitts and Nevis it was noted that a recent Minimum Asset Test (MAT) carried out by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Jamaica said that to meet regulatory standards each insurance company operating within that jurisdiction must have assets representing at least 135 per cent of its liabilities.

The article pointed out that among the companies that were unable to meet this requirement is ICWI Jamaica Ltd. With the collapse of the British American Insurance Company still fresh in the minds of many Kittitians and Nevisians, concerns quickly spread that the Jamaica-based company would not be able to cover policies held at the local branch.

In the media interview President Lalor attempted allay concern and explained that the St. Kitts and Nevis branch is separately managed and therefore would not be affected by the FSC's recent report. "The reality of it is that ICWI Group is made up of four insurance companies: ICWI Cayman Ltd, ICWI Bahamas Ltd, ICWI Jamaica Ltd and Turks Insurance First Insurance Company. They are separate, individually capitalized companies regulated separately in each territory.

"The St. Kitts branch represents the ICWI Cayman Ltd and is simply an independent member of the group of companies. It has its separate board of directors. The St. Kitts ICWI branch is 100% fully compliant with all the regulations of the St. Kitts regulators and with [those in] the Caymans; that is not a problem at all," he was quoted as saying.
Lalor explained that each of the companies has its own reinsurance treaty and is specifically designed in such a way to protect policyholders of the separate entities against catastrophic events that may take place in other territories.

He acknowledged that the Jamaican company was unable to meet the minimum asset requirements, but explained that it was to be expected because of a new reinsurance treaty recently signed there.

Lalor explained, "ICWI Group accepts that its Jamaican arm didn't make the threshold, but understands the reason why and fully expects that it will meet the threshold in the very near future." The online media house noted that they contacted the representative of the local company, Michael Martin, who was tight-lipped about the matter. In a brief comment he told this media house, "I don't know if there are implications for the local branch. The matter is being dealt with by the Jamaican Financial Services Commission."

However it a statement from the FSC, issued in mid April said that while companies like ICWI failed the MAT and is in breach of insurance regulations, ICWI's MAT result of 130% provides a "relatively strong cushion" for the protection of the company and its policyholders.

"The companies should face no difficulties in meeting their normal claims obligation. The FSC has been in dialogue with the companies on the issue of the MAT and has decided to exercise forbearance in light of the global economic crisis which resulted in significant impairment in the fair values of certain investment assets of some companies.
"In the opinion of the FSC the insurance companies have adequate catastrophe reinsurance cover..." the press statement read.

ICWI President Lalor stressed that the MAT, as it currently stands, does not measure risk or take into account reinsurance. The article stressed that President Lalor informed that a minimum capital test is expected to replace the MAT by yearend and will more accurately reflect contingency preparedness for insurance companies.

Philipsburg:--- Members of KPSSS, the Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba and the local Chief of Police Franklyn Richards have said goodbye to Police Coach Ronald Dongor. Dongor is scheduled to leave St. Maarten on May 14 after serving the KPSSS for two years. At a small ceremony on Wednesday, Dongor was presented with a plaque expressing gratitude for his services to St. Maarten during the past two years. Expressing thanks on behalf of the St. Maarten community to Dongor was Chief of Police Franklyn Richards, and Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos on behalf of his office.
Certificates were also distributed to some officers who completed a training course.
The ceremony held on Wednesday was also intended for those officers who recently left the force on pension. They are Dafnis Francessca, Hildo Martina, Angie Fowler, Pricilla Gumbs, and Elgin Southborough however, none of the pensioners did not show up to the police station to attend the ceremony.
The bags that were prepared for each of the officers were left on a table with their name tags attached. Francessca however, sent a statement which was read by Spokesman for the Police Ricardo Henson.
Chief of Police Franklyn Richards said he would personally call Dafnis Francessa and Hildo Martina to express his gratitude to them for the services they provide to St. Maarten. Richards said those men did the best they could for the police force with limited resources.
It is understood that at least two of the officers who reached the pensionable age had requested to remain within the force but their request was denied, thus they have decided to silently protest by not showing up for the goodbye ceremony.

Great Bay:--- The buzz is out and all systems are GO! for the long, awaited 6th Annual Boardwalk Mas 2010 which starts at 5:00PM Saturday, May 15th from the Passangrahann Royal Guest House right up to the Sea Palace Hotel and back to the Square.
With some 40 groups and individual participants registered for this festive event, "we're indeed ready to roll," says Umain Dormoy, parade and concert manager.
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau came up with idea of the Boardwalk Mas as a heritage event that evolved from the Tourism Master Plan (TourMap).
"The idea from the very start was to create a St. Martin experience that everyone would be able to enjoy together and that would continue to enhance the creativity of our people," explained Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega.
She pointed to the variety of participating groups and stressed the unifying strand that holds the whole folkloric and festive jamboree together while celebrating the very best of our culture.
"This year promises to be perhaps the best and largest ever in this young event which holds a lot of potential to attract participants from beyond our shores," LaBega further noted.
Indeed, there will be moko jumbies from Anguilla and St. Kitts/Nevis and already plans are afoot to bring in groups from Curacao for the next edition.
"There is a growing interest in the Boardwalk Mas from neighboring islands," added Dormoy. "Last year, Saba was represented and in future we hope to bring groups from Guadeloupe, St. Thomas, and other places to make this into the unique Caribbean celebration of festive mas it is meant to be."
Highlights of past Boardwalk Mas can be viewed on Youtube at the following links:
The Boardwalk Mas is coordinated on behalf of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, by Offshore Editing Services, a division of House of Nehesi Publishers Foundation. The parade manager Urmain Dormoy can be contacted at 542-2337, for groups and individual artists wishing to participate in the parade or concert of the Boardwalk Mas.

Philipsburg:---Former Commissioner of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus is calling on Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson to let the population of St. Maarten know, which if any actions are being taken regarding the bacteria found in the ingredients of Tylenol products.
The US media reported that ingredients used by Johnson & Johnson in some of the 40 varieties of children's cold medicines recalled last week were contaminated with bacteria, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
The DP Councilmember is urging the local government to look into this matter and consider removing the relevant products from the shelves in an effort to protect unsuspecting consumers. In addition Councilmember Maria Buncamper-Molanus is suggesting that the Commissioner discusses this situation with the recently transferred Inspectorate of Public Health and take immediate actions with respect informing the general population about the risks.
Buncamper continues to say that the US Agency officials said Tuesday last, that none of the company's finished products tested positive for the contaminants, though such testing is not definitive.
"I would like to advice the general public to do their own investigation. The FDA report, which was posted online, lists more than 20 manufacturing problems found at the McNeil Consumer Healthcare plant in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, where the formulas were made. Information provided through the US media and online state that the recalled products include children and infant formulations of Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl".
J&J's McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit has said some of the recalled medicines may have a higher concentration of the active ingredient than listed on the bottle. Others may contain particles, while still others may contain inactive ingredients that do not meet testing requirements.
While the FDA reiterated that serious medical problems with the products are unlikely, they advised consumers to stop using the medicine as a precaution. Parents are instructed to use generic alternatives instead Buncamper stated.
The local government has the responsibility to inform the people of St. Maarten and to take the necessary actions to protect them. In this case it is the health of our people that we are dealing with, thus the government is expected to act decisively and not wait until a problem occurs, Council Member Maria Buncamper-Molanus concluded.

GREAT BAY,– Commissioner of Telecommunications William Marlin, would like to wish all those working in the telecommunications sector on the island a happy World Telecommunications & Information Society Day (WTISD), this Monday, May 17.

The theme of this year WTISD is, "Better city, better life." The theme represents the common wish of all humankind to achieve better living standards in future urban environments.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) play a catalysing role in achieving this goal.

The aim is achieving greener, safer, healthier, prosperous, inclusive and well managed cities where over half the world's population resides.

"It is government's goal to make use of ICT more in the future. The mobile phone and the internet and now the blackberry have reshaped the world.

"ICTs have helped billions of people to live, work and play. Today in some countries, you have smart buildings, intelligent traffic management and much more.

"ICTs have a huge potential to improve the lives of people by providing affordable and equitable access to information and knowledge to empower everyone to achieve their aspirations.

"On this special day, I would like to wish all telecommunication and ICT workers much success in their endeavours and to keep up the good work," Commissioner of Telecommunications William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Philipsburg/ Marigot:--- French citizens have until July 7th to leave St. Maarten/St Martin with their French identification cards. SMN News learnt that the office of the Lt. Governor and the Sous Prefecture has agreed to give all French citizens that are currently on St. Maarten/ St. Martin two months to get their acts together to obtain a passport to enter or exit St. Maarten/St Martin.
SMN News learnt that the two heads of states have formally agreed to allow passengers currently on St. Maarten time to leave, so that they would have the time needed to meet the International Air Transport Association rules.
SMN News also learnt that Airlines in France and other airport officials have already been turning back passengers who are not in possession of a passport.

The Civil Registry Department hereby announces that the Passport Processing machine is currently out of service due to technical challenges until further notice. This applies to first time and renewal passport applications. Passports submitted prior to the malfunction can still be collected. The department offers its sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

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

Philipsburg:--- Members of the Lions Club who are currently on St. Maarten for their multiple district convention paid a courtesy visit to Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards on Wednesday. Among those that visited the governor is Ivor English Council Chairman from Guyana.
During a press conference English told reporters that the Lions is now celebrating its 30th multiple district convention. He said the members of these districts meet every year at a common venue to look at issues relevant to the development of Lionism. He said during this time they celebrate while reporting on the activities each district carried out over the year. English said one of their principle focus on is vision care because Helen Keller challenged Lions to be knights of the blind several decades ago. He said while vision care is one of their principal area of focus they also focus on other medical challenges and natural disasters since the Caribbean region is very volatile in natural disasters. English gave an example of how the region responded to Haiti when they were struck with earthquake on January 12. He said the motto of the Lion is they Serve not looking for anything in return, instead they serve out of love, compassion and a genuine concern for human needs. This week over 300 delegates from around the Caribbean Region are meeting on St. Maarten. The opening of the convention took place Wednesday evening at the Maho Convention Center.
English said the Lions on St. Maarten have been a beacon of light and hope in Lionism on St. Maarten which they all saluted the St. Maarten's leadership. English said this year's theme is "Move to Grow, Committed to Reach and Grow and Transform."
One of the beliefs and objectives of the Lions is to reach the less fortunate so they can grow as well as enrich as well as experience to help others. English said the Lions have been partnering with other Social organizations because they have come to realize that they are not able to do it alone.
Walley Haverthong of the St Maarten Lions Club said apart from the activities planned this week for the convention the Lions club would be focusing on men's health during the month of June.

Philipsburg:--- OECS Club Netball champions Elite Strikers of Saint Lucia continued their march towards retaining their title with a more clinical display this morning, as matches in the 2010 Courts-sponsored OECS Club Netball Championship continued.
One Court One, Vita Malt Maple of St. Vincent and the Grenadines began their campaign with a 62 – 26 demolition of Stoney Grove Untouchables of Nevis.
The quarter scores were 16 – 08, 31 – 14, 49 – 21, 62 – 26; all in favour of Vita Malt Maple.
Skiddy Crick was the lead performer for Maple with an 89-percent shooting average; netting 48 of 54 attempts.
Roseclair Hall had a 61-percent shooting average as she shot 14 of her 23 attempts.
For the Untouchables, Latasha Isles scored 23 of 29 attempts a 79-percent shooting average, Lydia Thompson Claxton had a 33-percent shooting average, scoring 2 of 6 attempts, while Shamyse Bartlette scored one of 4 attempts; a 25-percent shooting average.
Meanwhile in the morning's other game on Court Two, Elite Strikers was given a wakeup call when Fort Knox Aces of Dominica stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter.
The defending champions replied in typical fashion, scoring ten unanswered goals and went into the first quarter, enjoying a 14 – 05 lead.
The Saint Lucians never relinquished the lead, as the remaining quarter scores were 29 – 11, 44 – 17, winning in the end 59 – 27.
Glatta Gabriel enjoyed a 79-percent shooting average as she netted 15 of 19 attempts, Shem Maxwell had an 82-percent shooting average netting 32 of 39 attempts, and Deidra Mathurin scored 12 of 16 attempts; a 75-percent shooting average.
For the Aces, Jennifer Nanton scored 13 of 23 attempts – a 57-percent shooting average, Rosemary Balson had a 71-percent shooting average as she scored 10 of 14 attempts; and Cynthia Joseph scored 4 of six attempts – a 67-percent average as the Dominicans struggled to come to grips with the speed and agility of their opponents.

Philipsburg:---After careful consideration and a review of the entire situation which has unfortunately been a drawn out affair, the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has named No Limit Band as Band of the Year for Carnival 2010.

The SCDF acknowledges that there was an instance of miscommunication with announcing of the decision, and accepts responsibility for the uncertainties that followed. However, this does not negate the fact that the SCDF has criteria which must be adhered to and as such our decision was based on that.

The SCDF regrets the miscommunication in this matter.

Philipsburg:----Police tracked down two bandits who had just broken into a home on Sunday May 23rd at King of Seas Road in and arrested them on the spot. The duo was caught on Arch road in a rental car and bearing the number plate M -8751.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the two culprits were seen by a resident of the neighborhood who gave police all the necessary information to track down their car and heist.
Henson police said police found a large amount of gold jewelry and other type of jewelry were found in the car. Both suspects were arrested on the spot and the car which later turned out to be a rental and the jewelry were confiscated for further investigation. They were taken to the police station and handed over to the detective department. The owner of the jewelry recognized the jewelry as her property.

Philipsburg: --- The joint court of appeals of the Netherlands Antilles upheld the verdict handed down by the court of first instance against Delano Richardson head of VROM.
Delano Richardson is sentenced to ten months conditional sentence, two years probation and 200 hours of community service. Richardson is also banned from working for the island government for the next three years.
Richardson was charged with extortion of monies in exchange for a building permit.

GREAT BAY:---The book party for Because of Prayer by Felecita T. Williams takes place on Saturday, May 29 here at the WIFOL convention center, at 7.30pm, said the book's publisher, House of Nehesi (HNP).
Former acting Lt. Governor Richard Luckert will introduce the new autobiography as the guest speaker, said Felecita Williams. St. Martin's newest author will also read selections from her own true-life story.
Dr. E.D. Wolff of the Sophia Kinderziekenhuis in The Netherlands, sets part of the stage for readers when he wrote about how he met the author over 25 years ago:
"There was a little girl on Curaçao (originally from St. Maarten) who was suffering from serious kidney failure."
"Moreover, it was revealed that she was seriously ill in an isolation room. ... Based on our experience with children with kidney failure we thought that perhaps we could offer some help and that is the way that Cita Williams came into our lives."
The slim and attractively designed hardcover book recounts childhood experiences of joy and tremendous pain that could make some readers wince, "especially when they realize that it was a small child going through the medical operations," said HNP president Jacqueline Sample.
Williams courageously and sometimes cautiously wrote about her birth at St. Rose Hospital, family sacrifice, the search for a new kidney, being a student at MPC, puppy love "attractions," questions about life, finding a church where "something" was not missing, and challenges on her job with co-workers, said Sample.
"Did Felecita name names? What did her parents do when they were told to prepare for the worst and a minister appeared at her hospital bed in Curacao? We all have to read the book for those answers," said Sample.
According to the author, it took nearly four years of writing Because of Prayer before she approached HNP in 2009.
The new book is available at Van Dorp and Arnia's bookstores and the author will be signing copies at the book launch on Saturday, said Sample.

Philipsburg:--- Island Council member and former commissioner of telecommunications Maria Buncamper-Molanus has submitted a number of questions regarding the amendment of the articles which makes issuing bonds possible for the government owned St. Maarten Telecommunication Holding Company (STHC NV).
According to the proposal presented by government the holding envisages entering into a bond issue for a maximum principal amount of USD 20 million plus interest and expenses, for which issue Scotiatrust and Merchant Bank Trinidad and Tobago limited will act as arranger (the "Bond Issues")
Buncamper stated that no public debate preceded the voting on the subject and as such neither the Island council nor the people of St. Maarten were informed about this proposal by the Government. In addition many important questions remain unanswered. For this reason the DP has submitted a letter to the Executive Council requesting answers to 14 questions on the telecom subject.
The proposal states that any one bondholder can hold the company in default if at any time the principal and or interest of the bond cannot be paid. Simply put: it takes only one bond holder for the company to be held in default.

1. What is the status of the management at the company? Under normal circumstances management would have to be well established and have the confidence of the shareholder before such a tremendous risk is taken. Can we conclude that the Shareholder has full confidence in management?
2. Is the underwriter assuming responsibility of the bond? If so please indicate how.Going to the third mortgage position indicates a concern. So what is apparent is that there is no intension to consolidate.
   Council lady Maria Buncamper –Molanus continues: "As an example let's consider that another telecom company buys the bonds. If then this one bond holder calls default because of a payment not being made of the principal and or interest, it would mean that the entire bond and the company have a problem. A provide more clarity on this issue we have requested the T.O.R. of the bond arranger.
3. Please provide the T.O.R. of the bond arranger.
4. How will this bond affect the overall value of the company?
5. Floating this bond will create additional debt as there is of course existing debt. Please provide the debt ratio at this moment and indicate how it will be affected after the bond is issued. Have the relevant discussions taken place and has the required permission been granted by the other debtors to accommodate the floating of the USD 20 million bond?
6. We would like to ensure that the company remains solvent. Increasing the debt does not necessarily increase the solvency of the company. This then affects the job security as well. It is important to get an impression on whether or not this bond will have effects on the job security of those employed by the STHC NV and the subsidiaries.
7. Resolution: What is the interest and what are the expenses associated with floating the bond of USD 20 million?
8. Consideration b (i) of the resolution: It is stated that cross guarantees are part of this arrangement. In other words – the same assets are being used to guarantee more than one debt. What is the value of the pledged security and what is the value of the companies that have pledges their assets? This is important to know, because all companies are being encumbered.
9. 1 b (ii) an (iii): What is the value of the equipment, the buildings and the real estate.
10. What is the amount of the outstanding debt?
11. Can we be provided with the existing debt structure?
12. What are the terms? We know that the principal of maximum USD 20 million is established, but is this a short, mid or long-term bond.
13. Can we please be provided with the underwriting agreement? The government refers to the "arranger". We need to know what that agreement entails.
14. The proposal mentions the third mortgage. We can conclude that the most recently constructed buildings will be mortgaged. The fact that we are talking about a 3rd tight of mortgage is reason for concern and so we would like to be provided with a list of all assets held by the banks, other financial institutions at this moment.

"While clearly this matter has been approved by the Island Council, but for the sake of informing the members of the Island Council and the people of St. Maarten we look forward to the government's response": concludes DP Council member Maria Buncamper-Molanus.

Philipsburg: --- Leader of Government William Marlin has announced that St. Maarten has withdrawn its request from the Central Government for the 2% turn over tax increase. Marlin said the decision was taken after members of the island council who are currently supporting the current government met and they have decided to abandon the efforts to increase turn over tax. The island leader made clear than none of the members of the island council had really wanted to increase the TOT but they had no choice when trying to meet the deadline of the CFT and to avoid having to take instructions from the Council of Ministers.
Marlin when he met with the Prime Minister in Curacao last week he wanted to see if he could have reached an agreement to reverse the revenue sharing with the Central government whereby to have 2% of the said tax to stay on the island while 1% sent to Curacao.
Marlin said he did explain to the Prime Minister that he was trying to find a political solution to the current problem as the Prime Minister had promised to take up the matter with the Minister of Finance who was off island during his visit.
Marlin said so far he has had no communication with the Minister of finance but he was informed of the discussions that took place between the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance through the Minister of Constitutional Affairs.

Marlin said the proposal that was discussed during the meeting was that instead of reversing the TOT sharing agreement or to increase the TOT they are looking into securing at least 15 million of the BRK funds which will be sent to St. Maarten.

Marlin said to avoid any confusion since they had already sent the letter to the Minister of finance to increase the TOT and with the current discussion taking place to secure the monies through the BRK funds the executive council has decided to send a formal letter to the Minister of Finance telling her that St. Maarten has decided to withdraw its request of increasing TOT.

Marlin made clear that even though discussions are taking place and letters are going forward and backward there is no agreement with the central government on how the 13 million guilders needed to balance the 2010 budget will be covered. Marlin said even though time is of essence since St. Maarten has its final discussions with the CFT on June 12 the executive council of St. Maarten is trying to make sure there is full clarity with the sharing of the BRK funds since Curacao already is claiming 75% of the funds totaling 115 million Euros.
Marlin made clear that the National Alliance is not putting a gun at the heads of their coalition partners in the Central government however, they have indicated that if there is a political will the monies that St. Maarten need to balance its 2010 budget can be made available.
The island leader gave examples of the six million guilders that were given to an association created by one of its Ministers for materials for a hospital even though the Central government does not have a hospital.

GREAT BAY:--- Governor Franklyn Richards, Chairman of the Island's Disaster Emergency Management Organization, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), says that the first Tropical Storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season Agatha, is a wake-up call for island nations in the Caribbean Basin including Sint Maarten in preparing for a busy 2010 hurricane season that starts on Tuesday, June 1.

The U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center, last Thursday forecasted a busier than average hurricane season forecasting 14 to 23 named Tropical Storms of which eight to 14 could develop into a hurricane. Of those, three to seven could become major hurricanes of category three or higher with sustained wind speeds of 111 miles per hour and above.

"Over the weekend the first Tropical Storm of the Eastern Pacific Basin formed off the coast of Guatemala. Agatha left a number of persons dead in Guatemala due to torrential rains causing rock and mudslides. I once again appeal to the Sint Maarten population as the official hurricane season kicks off on Tuesday, June 1, to remember that it only takes one storm to make it a bad hurricane season.

"It is your responsibility to take every necessary precaution to ensure that this hurricane season passes without undue loss of life, human suffering and damage to property. It is our responsibility as members of our communities to prepare. We cannot stop a hurricane, but we can be better prepared for nature's fury," Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

The 2010 Hurricane Season name list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.

The 2010 hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30.

Philipsburg:--- The parents of Calvic David are ready to challenge the police department and prosecutor's office for detaining their son who was in possession of a kitchen knife early Wednesday morning. Victoria David and her husband Calvin Mathews both told SMN News that police arrested their 18 year old son early Wednesday morning somewhere along Sucker Garden road. They said police told them the young man had a kitchen knife in his socks and as such he will be detained until after the carnival season is over.
David said when her son was arrested no one within law enforcement notified them of the arrest and her son was not given a phone call to contact his parents. The woman said her son left home on Tuesday evening to attend the Jouvert and he never returned home. She said someone contacted her brother and informed him that his nephew was arrested by police. Ms. David said they immediately went to the police station and was told her son had a knife and he would remain in custody for at least two days. "Two police officers told me that my son would be released on Friday, but when I returned to the police station on Friday I was told that my son would remain in custody until Monday or even longer."
The parents said they are not against the police and the measures they are taking to reduce crime but she felt that the procedures police are using are illegal. "If the police arrested my son and kept him for two days, then its okay because the youths today have to be taught a lesson but to hold him for so long and to be giving us conflicting information is not acceptable." The parents said they have eyewitnesses who told them that the police just ran through the crowd and threw her son down on the ground and searched him. They said they are now questioning if police has the rights to search someone if they are not a suspect of a crime.

The parents further explained that they contacted Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos who at first was not aware of the case. They said Mos made some inquiry and later informed them that the young man was taken before the judge of instruction on Friday and he was given a lawyer. They said Mos told them that his colleague would further investigate the case on Monday and a decision would be taken then.
SMN News contacted Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos for a comment on the legality of the prolonged arrest. Mos said the young man has been charged with being in possession of a forbidden weapon and that his office would investigate to see if David has any record on Monday. He said depending on the outcome of their investigation it will be determined if the young man would be released on a conditional dismissal and a fine on Monday. Mos also expressed his disappointment against the parents who contacted the press after speaking to him. He said these parents should at least try to find out why their 18 year old son was on the street with a kitchen knife instead of attacking the police department and its procedures.

Philipsburg:---Lt Governor of the island territory of St. Maarten in his comments on the passing of Cultural Icon Ian Valz said on behalf of the people and Island Government of Sint Maarten, he express his deepest sympathy to the family and friends on the passing of Ian Michael Valz.

Ian as he was affectionately and popularly known to all was a leading Caribbean playwright with his most recent award winning film the Panman, Rhythms of the Palm.

Ian's contributions to the performing arts not only excited Sint Maarteners, but he also had the Caribbean region spellbound by his talent for the arts.

Ian made his mark on the performing arts: drama and the cultural landscape of our nation.

Through his long dedication and selfless service, he came to be recognized as an icon in his own right.

For his service and accomplishments Ian received a Royal decoration as "Knight In the Order of Orange Nassau," in 2006.

Ian Valz contribution and dedicated service has no doubt impacted on the lives of many Sint Maarteners especially those who worked closely with him and those who had the opportunity to know him.

May his soul rest in peace.

Philipsburg: ---- The Prosecutor's office has ordered the release of at least five persons who were arrested during the carnival season with weapons. Prosecutor Rienk Mud in an invited comment said some eight persons were arrested for being in possession of a weapon during the carnival especially on Jouvert morning. Of the eight, five of them were released because they have no criminal record while three of the suspects will remain in custody as the police are busy investigating these persons.
Mud also confirmed that Calvic David (Mathew) was among those released as he too was arrested with being in possession of a kitchen knife. No other details on David's arrest have been released.
Mud said he hoped that those persons who were apprehended during the carnival season for being in possession of a weapon learned a meaningful lesson during the time they spent in jail. Mud made clear that the police and his office had announced earlier that persons who were found with weapons were going to be locked up until after carnival is over. "Carnival is meant for people to have fun and not shed blood." Mud said.

Philipsburg: --- The suspect in the Christian Lloyd murder is scheduled to appear in court sometime next month confirmed Prosecutor Rienk Mud. Mud said the suspect identified as Anthony Spencer would have to attend a proforma hearing after the DNA results are back.
Christian Lloyd's body was found in his Watermelon Road home on January 25th with a fatal head injury.

Philipsburg:--- The board and the leadership of the University of St. Martin continue to mismanage the finances of the institution even though a Chief Financial Officer, Kenneth Nolan Jr., was recently hired to manage the finances of the university.
Although Mr. Nolan was appointed to help improve the financial situation, and the university raised over a million dollars in recent fundraising activities, the financial situation has not improved; rather it has deteriorated. To date, the current employees of USM have not received their salaries for the month of April, and neither has the university lived up to its financial obligations to former employees. Employees are particularly irate that there appears to be some form favoritism, as some employees have received checks while the majority of staff and faculty have not been paid their salaries. The employees are also upset and feel insulted that a meeting was not yet called or a commonsensical reason given for the nonpayment of April's salary.
WIFOL disputes the claims in the Daily Herald article of May 5, in which the USM president is cited as having met with the employees on Tuesday, May 4. According to what the employees were told by the president, she would meet with them on Wednesday immediately after her meeting with government that morning. Up to Wednesday afternoon, the meeting had not taken place.
While USM president Josianne Fleming Artsen attributes the financial woes to low student enrollment and overstaffing, WIFOL contends that the situation is caused by direct mismanagement of USM's finances, particularly in the last two years. For example, USM has spent over NAF 120,000.00 on a dean for one year; over NAF 180,000.00 on a CFO for a year and a half; over NAF 144,000.00 on a librarian for a year and a half. These salaries are in addition to other perks such as housing allowance, transportation and travel allowance, insurance for them and their spouses, subscription allowance, conference allowances, etc. Moreover, the previous accreditation officer (now dean) received NAF 3,000.00 monthly from USM in addition to her civil servant's salary package. According USM board and president, at the time, these persons were necessary to the accreditation process. However, everyone at USM knew that USM was nowhere near ready for this stage of the accreditation process, as financial sustainability was a key ingredient to an accreditation application.
USM also spent funds on unnecessary purchases such as beamers, oversized office desks for student use in the classroom (the majority of which are still not assembled and packed away in a classroom), and just as recently as March, unnecessary, expensive server software. These are just some examples of the mismanagement of USM's finances.
Where WIFOL agrees with USM's president is in the area of overstaffing because USM brought in three US personnel—two of whom are retirees—to do the work that could have been carried out by local professionals. The amount of money spent on these professionals has never equated to the amount spent on local personnel with the same qualifications. Furthermore, the new leadership at USM cut back on key money-making programs that have kept USM afloat over the years and other income-generating activities, while being tunnel-visioned and ignorant of USM and St. Martin's reality.
In the past year alone, a number of consultants and staff have come up with strategies for improving the financial picture—both in the short and long terms. However, none of these strategies seemed to have been taken into consideration by the leadership as there is no evidence of any of them being implemented.
Given the mismanagement of the University of St. Martin in the past few years, WIFOL is calling on the USM board, President, CFO, and Dean to do the honorable thing and resign, paving the way for the university to move forward.

Philipsburg:---After a one year sojourn St. Maarten will join the world again this year in the largest observance of a grassroots AIDS event. Plans are in full swing for the hosting of the 27th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial which will be held on Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library at 6:30PM.

The general public is being invited to join members of the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, The HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team, H.O.P.E, and caring people in St. Maarten and around the world in honoring those we have lost to AIDS and supporting those who are living with HIV or AIDS.

The theme of this year's International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is "Many Lights for Human Rights," symbolizing the importance of each person deserving fair and equal treatment.
According to the HIV/AIDS Program Manager, Suzette Moses-Burton, "This year's theme carries a great deal of significance as we continue to mainstream HIV/AIDS and make it part of daily life so we can reduce stigma & discrimination."

The evening's programme, a cultural manifestation, includes a candle lighting ceremony and artistic performances by many local talents. Addresses by special invited guests are also scheduled on the programme.

A key special feature is that members of the H.O.P.E, the support group for People Living with HIV/AIDS, are actively involved in leading the planning of this event.

For further information about the event, or to volunteer to help organize or staff the event, please call the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team, tel 542-2078.

NURSING CULTURE AND THE COMMUNITY
International year of nursing
From the lady with the lamp to nurse practitioner
100 years Florence Nightingale

The Mental Health Foundation St. Maarten has successfully organized 2 Symposia on St. Maarten and because of the growing interest in psychiatry has decided to organize a third. Acknowledging the role of nurses who are the ongoing support of patients and their families in coping with mental illnesses.

In St. Maarten psychiatric care is fairly new, the Mental Health Foundation commenced with its activities in May 2006 and is developing beyond all expectations. Finding qualified persons for the ever-increasing workload has been a challenge, therefore all opportunities are being embraced to enhance knowledge and share experiences.

2010 is a special year for Nurses because they celebrate 100 years Florence Nightingale.
Through Florence Nightingale nursing has become an acknowledged profession and has developed into what it is today.

As a theme we have chosen:
NURSING CULTURE AND THE COMMUNITY
International year of nursing
From the lady with the lamp to nurse practitioner
100 years Florence Nightingale

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great Bay, - "I have listened to the comments made by Bill O'Reilly about St. Maarten repeatedly, and although his general tone was not flattering, I take good note that he took pains to separate the St. Maarten people and the resorts from his characterization of the 'authorities running the island' as "largely pinheads," said Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega in her initial reaction to the statements made by the host of "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News Channel in the Pinheads and Patriots section of his Caribbean Edition, broadcast on May 4.
After praising Saba and Anguilla, O'Reilly described St. Maarten, "especially the Dutch side, a disaster".
"Chaos... doesn't even come close to describing the governmental situation down there – not the folks, the government. The resorts are alright, but the authorities running the island are pinheads," O'Reilly said, while adding that his viewers would like Anguilla better.
"Of course, this is nothing to rejoice about; but it is nothing to panic about either," LaBega stated. "Perhaps it is worth remembering that the owner of Fox, media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been a frequent guest of St. Maarten for at least a decade now, coming here every year with his luxury yacht. There must be a reason he has chosen to make St. Maarten the homeport for his winter vacation."
"In other words, I would be more concerned if O'Reilly's boss – Rupert Murdoch himself – were to make any derogatory remarks about St. Maarten, its people, or even its government," the Director of Tourism added.
LaBega was, however, quick to point out that negative comments about the destination generally should not be seen as a condemnation, but as a call to action to improve "our services, our properties, our overall standard of living in a sustainable manner, bearing in mind that we are doing these first and foremost for ourselves and for our children's children."
"We can be defensive all we want or question the motives and/or agenda of those who make such negative remarks, but one thing is sure, we would be playing ostrich if we refuse to recognize the challenges we're facing together as a people, and work hard to overcome and seek sustainable solutions to them," LaBega said.
"The reason Commissioner Frans Richardson and I are currently in Brazil is to further solidify arrangements that would lead to an increased market share of this fast-growing Latin American market. We will certainly not be distracted from this endeavor," the Director of Tourism said.
"Gol Airlines, one of Brazil's leading carriers, will begin weekly, year round, scheduled flights to St. Maarten on June 1, 2010 and there is a good possibility that we may be able to add another airline on the same route. This is our focus: to make St. Maarten a year-round destination by opening up new markets without, of course, ignoring our traditional source of visitors. It is a mission we must accomplish to continue to fill our hotel rooms, our restaurants and stores and keep our economy on the right track," LaBega concluded.

Ebenezer:--- Members of Government, family members and close friends of Caribbean Icon the late Ian Michael Valz paid their last respects to him on Friday prior to his internment.
Saying farewell to man who has left his footprint everywhere he went and lasting memories in the lives of those he touched was not easy. His friends and those he worked with in the theater and cultural industry all sobbed at the Emerald Funeral Home where the first viewing of the body began. After that the organizers of the service took the body of the late Valz on a motorcade along Front and Back Street. The motorcade stopped for a few minutes in front of the Philipsburg Cultural Center where Youmay Dormoy and others performed.
At the church Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards in his tributes described the late Valz as a man who distinguished himself as a playwright an actor and a filmmaker, thus St. Maarten has lost a creative genius of performing arts, one who was a servant to humanity.
While leader of Government William Marlin a friend of Valz said that not even the late Valz knew that just one week prior to his passing he had nominated him on behalf of St. Maarten to receive the CTO lifetime award, the results he said will be announced in June. He said St. Maarten gathered to bid farewell to one its most illustrious sons and artist to the core. Marlin said Ian was one of those friends that you would often admire from a distance for his dedication, hard work and perseverance.
Josianne Artsen Fleming in her tributes described Sir Ian as pensive, creative, progressive, impressive, interactive, caring, energetic, passionate, illusive, peaceful, non-confrontational, brilliant, skillful genius, powerful, humble, private, charmer, opinionated unassuming, thorough, insightful, perfectionist, visionary, catalyst, pioneer, innovator, change, agent, influencer, champion, radio personality, actor, director, producer, playwright, film maker, dramatist and an artist.
Fleming said Sir Ian was a friend and while St. Maarten has lost a great artist champion but they would never lose what he imparted to each and every one of us.

Philipsburg: --- Members of the KPSSS and the Royal Marechaussees and the Prosecutor's Office conducted several house searches on Tuesday confirmed Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos.
The operation was under the authority of the judge of instruction Mos said and one person was arrested. Mos said due to the character of the investigation he is not able to divulge any further information.
Information reaching SMN News suggested that the suspect that was arrested during the early hours of Wednesday morning may be involved in the killing of Yuan Sam of Afoo Group.

An explosion that took place bust bar of the GEBE power plant has left the island in total backout. Information reaching SMN News states that a rat got into bust bar creating a short circuit and explosion.
GEBE mechanics were forced to diconnect all feeders from the generators to repair the grids in the bust bar box. It is expected that electricity will be restored in the next two hours. Certain areas of the island will be out of water since there is no electricity to refill the tanks.

A full update of this story will be published later today.

GREAT BAY:--- Because of Prayer by Felecita T. Williams is St. Martin's newest book and is now in bookstores, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
The diary-style true story just published here by HNP, follows Williams from her life as a happy child to her near-death experience because of kidney failure, to adulthood.
The slim and attractively designed hardcover book recounts childhood experiences of joy and tremendous pain that could make some readers wince, "especially when they realize that it was a small child going through the medical operations," said Sample.
Williams courageously and sometimes cautiously reveals eye-opening glimpses into private family sacrifices, being a student at MPC, puppy love "attractions," questions about life and faith, and challenges on her job with co-workers.
The SVB employee is now St. Martin's newest author.
"Did Felecita name names? What did her parents do when they were told to prepare for the worst and a minister appeared at her hospital bed in Curacao? We all have to read the book for those answers," said Sample.
The idea to write the book was planted in 2003, at a religious retreat in Anguilla but the actual writing started in 2006, said Williams.
A typical St. Martin feature in the book is the amount of travels by Williams, "Even if in this case, much of the travels and living for lengths of time in the Netherlands had to do with Felecita's medical care and the search for a new kidney," said Sample.
Though somewhat unusual for an autobiography, the book includes an appendix of comments by people who have long been involved in the life of Williams.
Among the "commentators" giving testimony are the author's father Austin, mother Irene, other family members and friends, Dr. E. Wolff, one of her physicians in the Netherlands, and former acting Lt. Governor Richard Luckert.
Because of Prayer is scheduled to launch on Saturday, May 29 at the WIFOL Convention Center, at 7.30pm. "But you don't have to wait to get a sneak preview of a very private story that the author said is also 'God's business'," said Sample.

Philipsburg: --- Several police and immigration officers are becoming agitated and are planning to take drastic actions against the behavior of the Chief of Staff of the Police Department (KPSSS) Lourdes Lake and her assistant Mr. Reece.
Several officers spoke to SMN News on the condition of anonymity stating their concerns about how Lake would treat and speak to officers and department heads.
According to reliable information reaching SMN News Lake along with president of the Windward Island Civil Servants Unions (WICSU) William Reed were returning from Curacao on May 14 when Lake confronted a young female immigration officer and insulted her in the presence of all the passengers that was in the arrival hall of the Princess Juliana International Airport.
An eyewitness to the commotion said Lake approached an immigration officer who recently came out of the police academy and asked her why there was not any immigration official in the residence booth. The eyewitness said Lake's approach to the officer was so out of place that the officer in question asked her who she was and why she was posing that question. The eyewitness and passenger said Lake responded by asking the officer if she did not know who she was and said she was her boss, and the young lady is now on her blacklist.
The passenger further explained that Lake refused to give the officer in question her identification card and or passport so she could scan it in the system. The eyewitness said Lake shouted out to the officer saying she does not give immigration her identification because she felt those working at PJIAE knows who she is. SMN News contacted four other immigration officers who said that each time Lake travels they have a problem with her regarding her identification. One of the officer said they informed Lake that even the Minister of Justice and the Her Majesty gives their passport for scanning and she should not try to breach security, but on many occasions Lake would leave without giving in her passport or identification to immigration.

SMN News learnt that Lake and her assistant Mr. Reece allegedly insulted Lawrence Blyden for no apparent reason on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is further understood that Blyden had to leave work on Wednesday after the incident.
In an invited comment William Reed of the WICSU confirmed that he witnessed the unfortunate commotion between Lake and the young immigration officer. Reed said that Lake's behavior was indeed inappropriate and that she should have contacted the shift supervisor if she had questions about the empty booth. He said he also intervened in the confrontation and calm down Lake even though he is the union representative of the immigration officers. Reed also confirmed that the Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba has contacted him about the situation while the officer in question is busy writing her report to submit to the union.
Reed assured SMN News that he would do what is necessary to represent his membership against any form of injustice.
It is to be noted that Lourdes Lake is the vice president of the Windward Islands Civil Servant Union while she is an employee of the federal government in the capacity of human resources.

FORT-LOUIS, The SEMSAMAR development agency made a financial contribution here on Thursday to the 8th annual St. Martin Book Fair (June 3 - 5, 2010), said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph. The directrice of SEMSAMAR, Marie Paul Beneluse (L) made the presentation to Reiph (R), who had traveled to the Guadeloupe commune to receive the cheque from Beneluse. "SEMSAMAR is about building the future and we thought that it is more than right for us to support an event such as the St. Martin Book Fair," said Beneluse to Reiph, a leading St. Martin cultural activist and organizer. The opening ceremony of the three-day book fair takes place at the University of St. Martin, Philipsburg, on Thursday, June 3, at 8pm. The closing ceremony and main book launch will take place at the Public Library, Marigot, on Saturday, June 5, at 8pm, said Reiph. The Conscious Lyrics Foundation and House of Nehesi Nehesi Publishers organize the St. Martin Book Fair in collaboration with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, the Collectivity of St. Martin, and the University of St. Martin. (CLF photo)

Philipsburg;---On Friday May 22nd the Immigration officers A.M. NAVAS and N. JAMES received their diplomas after the completing their studies and going through their on-the-job training.
The diplomas were handed out by the acting Chief of Police, Chief Inspector Carl John in the presence of Mr. L.F. Ostiana of the Examination Bureau and Job Training Coordinator G.A. Benita. The acting Chief of police congratulated the officers and wished them much success in their career as such.

GREAT BAY– Governor Franklyn Richards, Chairman of the Island's Disaster Emergency Management Organization, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), is calling on the St. Maarten community to begin to prepare for the 2010 hurricane season and to have those plans in place by June 1st, the start of the season.
Forecasters have said that the season is going to be a busy one similar to the 2008 hurricane season which saw 16 named storms form of which eight became hurricanes. In October 2008, the island experienced Category 3 Hurricane Omar which caused considerable coastal damage.
Over the weekend weather forecasters have been closely watching a weather system north of the Dominican Republic and East of The Bahamas which may generate the season's first system of interest. This system has the potential to become a "hybrid" storm with part tropical characteristics and part non-tropical.
Hybrid systems can be named as subtropical storms or depressions such as Subtropical Storm Andrea back in May 2007 that formed off the U.S. Southeast coast.
The forecasts for this season varies between 15 to 18 tropical storms of which 7-8 could become hurricanes and 4-5 of those could develop into a major category three or stronger.
Even though the official start of the season is about one week away, Governor Richards is urging residents to use this period to prepare themselves adequately by reviewing their annual hurricane season preparatory list.
"I am encouraging the nation to begin now to prepare, to mitigate the effects of a hurricane disaster. Let us all begin to prepare our homes, churches, non-governmental organizations and businesses. It makes no sense to make major preparations days or hours before a hurricane is forecasted to strike.
"Prepare early and avoid being caught unprepared. Preparedness starts with every one of us within society. As a community we must plan early and don't wait until the last moment to rush to get things done because it can result in injury.
"Disaster preparedness is a multi-stakeholder process. Every entity has a role to play. Preparation for the hurricane season rests with all government agencies, and no better time than now to review operational plans. As a nation we are better prepared and more aware of the risks due to our past experiences," Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.
Some of the preparations that should be carried out now are the removal of debris from around homes and businesses; checking hurricane shutters and the roof of your home or business to make sure those windows can close securely and there are no weak spots in the roof.
Update your family hurricane disaster plan and restock your first aid kit and non-perishable supplies.
The 2010 Hurricane Season name list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.
The 2010 hurricane season officially starts on June 1 through November 30.

GREAT BAY— In celebration of Emergency Medical Services week, the GIS in collaboration with the Ambulance Department will profile three outstanding individuals at the department for exceptional work and also bring light to the department and their new promotional number to call: 912.

The first of the departmental highlights is Miss Debra Tamara Tackling. Debra started to work with the ambulance department on March 16th, 2009.

Currently she is a dispatcher at the Ambulance Department and her task is to take Medical EMERGENCY calls (912) and to get as much information in order to pass on the information to the Nurse and Driver on board the Ambulance. Debra also enters information of each call into the special computer system: C.A.V.I.S.

Debra says, because she is also an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) she is able to help others when they call in an emergency. "I can try and talk to the caller, calm them down and get as much information. Also in some situations, I can tell the caller how to help the victim."

Her preoccupations in this world, Debra says are her two children, her job and going to school. "I have my G.E.D., First Responder, and E.M.T. achievements, and hopefully in August, I will start the Nursing Assistant Class."

In the past, Debra has worked as a Front Desk Clerk, a Waitress, a Secretary's Assistant, and also a Dispatcher at a local security business. She enjoys such hobbies as baking cakes and playing educational games.

It is important, Debra says, when making a Medical EMERGENCY (912) call, please try and stay calm and don't get upset when the dispatcher asks you questions. We need to ask questions to know:
1) What is the emergency?
2) Is the person conscious?
3) Is the person breathing?
4) What is the exact location of the emergency?
5) How many people are hurt?
6) What is your name and contact number?
Later this week another member of the Ambulance department will be featured and as a reminder the theme of this year's EMS WEEK is "Anytime, anywhere we will be there".

Philipsburg:--- On Tuesday morning the EPIC and St. Maarten Pride Foundation were notified that there was an occurrence of fish death and a large number of fishes were seen swimming towards the flood gate.
EPIC President Ruben Thompson said every few weeks' fishes are dying out in the pond.
The vast amount of sand dredged from the Great Bay area and deposited in the Great Salt Pond has increased the Pond's salinity, this combined with diminished circulation and a decrease in oxygen levels continues to cause many fish of a number of different species (local and introduced species) to die.
The Foundations contacted Sector ROB requesting them to allow additional water from the fresh pond to enter the Great Salt Pond to at least temporarily alleviate the matter. Sector ROB informed the Foundations that they had already taken note of the situation and that they were running water from the fresh pond into the salt pond.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—The Island Government of St. Maarten through the Commissioner of Sports has assigned the Department of Sports with the task of a total review of the sports organizations and development on the island with emphasis on Country St. Maarten.

In connection herewith, the Department of Sports in collaboration with the St. Maarten Sports Federation invite all sporting organizations, whether team sports or individual sports, registered (or not) to attend a very important meeting to be held on Thursday, May 27, 2010 in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall at 7:00pm.

Agenda points:

1. Opening
2. Notices
3. Registration of members
4. Sport development and advancement in Country St. Maarten
5. Support of membership
6. Proposed Organizational structure
7. Legal Advice. (Notary and Attorney at Law.)
8. Open Floor
9. Closing

All sports organizations, associations, and groups are invited and urged to attend the meeting to provide input. Your contribution will be invaluable.

For more information, contact the Department of Sports at the Socio-Cultural Development Department.

Regional airline WINAIR in its continued aggressive mission to expand has announced that beginning June 14th; they will be taking up three new routes. This welcomed disclosure was made by the company's Managing Director; Edwin Hodge who said that after extensive and significant talks that the airline was able to secure the new routes noting that it will help to boost the company's operations.

The new destinations are St Lucia, Dominica and Tortola I have to admit that we are very excited to launch these new routes as it helps us in being able to provide a better and enhanced service to the people of the region," said Edwin Hodge, WINAIR's Managing Director.

"It is very important to note that the new flights will complement our existing service that we have to a number of destinations, providing our customers more travel options when using WINAIR." While details of the new deal has not been made public confirmed sources indicate that the details are beneficial to all concern stressing that with increased competition the company will have to continue keeping its house in order.

The three new destinations are situated in both the Leeward and Windward Island of the Caribbean while several pundits have noted that the new routes will attract business from, visiting family and relatives, the business community, diplomatic services and the tourism industry. Hodge pointed out that the continued growth and development of the airline will be based on their experience. He added that this new investment perfectly reflects that.

Vice President of Marketing, Claudio Buncamper said that the relevant stakeholders are happy. "I must say that our primary aim is to not only offer to these passengers excellent
Connections and service but we want also to ensure that they are safe and secured," he said. Buncamper pointed out that WINAIR continues to set standards in travel stressing that he firmly believes that there is untapped potential. "I am of the firm view that with the addition of these three routes it promises to serve the unmet needs of discerning corporate and leisure flyers," the VP of Marketing said.

Buncamper declared that WINAIR's goal is to emerge as the market leader within the Caribbean noting that they are on course. He added that they expect to consolidate their leadership position further by being the preferred airline in the region. Winair is presently loading its flight schedule for the new destinations which will connect to all of Winair Destinations. Keep monitoring as further information will be provide via the media our website and facebook.com/flywinair. Tickets are now on sale.

It was noted that WINAIR will continue on its mission to launch other flights to more regional destinations over the coming months.

Philipsburg;---One of the most important courses of action of the Minister of Justice, Mrs. Magali Jacoba is giving information to workers in the judicial sector as well as to the community, which she serves. The theme of the administration is: "Justice is here for me, for you, and for us all!" But in order to make justice available to everyone, communication must start with and information actively given to the community.

Information can be obtained vie e-mail, or via the justice department's website www.justitie.na, or on the blog of Minister Jacoba, which is www.mjacoba.blogspot.com. Some examples of topics which will be published are:
CRW court, CRW prosecutor's office, RW police, council of law reinforcement, cooperation arrangement immigration, cooperation arrangement prison, KPNA CPD, Immigration, NTO, LPO, VNA, Federal Detective department, Public prosecutor's office, Registrar, the court, prison, GOG, BIE, Brasami, rehabilitation, court of guardianship, coast guard, human smuggling, PVNA, DJZ, help for victims.
In this manner Minister Jacoba does according to her policy which is to inform employees as well as the community about her work and accomplishments during her tenure as Minister of Justice.

Philipsburg:---On Saturday May 29, 2010, the Harmonics band of the Philipsburg Methodist church will be presenting, an evening of spiritual togetherness at 5pm to 9pm on the Philipsburg Methodist church grounds.
This is the first event on the band's calendar as they gear up to celebrate their 20th anniversary in November. The band was started by pianist Jeffrey Richardson, saxophonist Raymond Benjamin and singer Rosemary Marsham-Hodge; in 20 years it has since grown into a full ensemble consisting of 14 members, 6 singers and 8 musicians.
The first event will be a mini concert where music will provided by the band and various other local gospel artists. Guest singers include Dion Gumbs, Adrian Scott, Donovan Froston, Laundry Piper & group, Shabbah's djembe group and many others. The highlight of the evening will be individual performances by the Methodist church ministers from the St. Martin/St. Maarten circuit.
Admission is free and a variety of local savory soups will be on sale along with fish cakes and Johnny cakes for a small fee ranging from $4-$6. Tickets for the soups can be purchased at the Methodist Church Resource Center in Philipsburg and also from the members of the band.
The Harmonics are therefore extending a warm invitation to the public to come out and enjoy an evening of delicious dining, singing, fellowship, fun and laughter. The funds raised will go towards the purchase of new instruments for the band.

Philipsburg:---The police department reported that at least three armed robberies were committed on Friday May 28th. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said two of the robberies took place in the Cole Bay area and the other was in Philipsburg.
The suspects in these robberies were young men between the ages of 18 and 24 years old. They wore dark clothing and used machetes and handguns to commit the crimes. The police spokesman said money was stolen in each case and clients who were in the establishments at the time were also robbed. The police spokesman also said that in one of the robberies a victim was struck with the flat side of a machete. All of the cases are under investigation said the police spokesman.
In the meantime, police arrested two French men on Saturday May 29th in the vicinity of the Shell Select Gas Station. The culprits were caught while they were transporting a flat screen television. When the two culprits saw police they began acting suspiciously. They were identified as C.B and and J.P. Both are French nationals born in Paris. During the investigation the officers found a Sharp Aquos Liquid Cristal Flat screen T.V. that was hidden under a sheet. The young men could not give an acceptable explanation of where they obtained the television.
They were both arrested on the spot. One of the suspects shortly after confessed they had broken in to one of the hotel rooms at Maho Reef Hotel. Both young men were taken to the Philipsburg Police Station for further investigation. The supervisor of the Hotel identified the television as being property of the hotel.

Police also arrested a suspect identified as W. St J. for whom there was an arrest warrant. The suspect was wanted for destroying one of the bicycles belonging to the police department.

Marigot: --- The support committee established to support Robert Romney head of the education department on St. Martin will be holding a protest march on Wednesday May 5th the committee announced.
The committee is calling on the people of St. Martin, parents, teachers as well as the younger generation to gather in front of the Marigot Stadium from 8:30 am on May 5th.
Organizer and member of the committee Aline Choisy said the marchers would be going to the Collectivity of St. Martin to demand recognition of the language, culture, social and economic specificities on St. Martin.
The committee also wants education to become the first priority for local and higher administrations and to insist that the students on St. Martin be given access to bilingual education which is the key to success in any society.
The goal of the committee is to ensue that the representative of the Rectorate Mr. Robert Romney stays on St. Martin to carry out all changes towards bilingual education for the students of St. Martin.
The committee held a public meeting last Tuesday at the Chamber of Commerce where they discussed their concerns and a plan of action was established.

Philipsburg:---The Board of the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union-PSU (WICSU -PSU) and the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU), would like to inform its members of the current situation with the retroactive payment of the new salary scales. In the April 2010 pay check the Cost-of-Living Adjustment of 2006-2007 was applied. In the new salary scales structure, it was agreed that the cost-of-living would be integrated to the salary scales. This is a total of 4.6% to be added to your current basic salary.

The one time lump sum payment consists of:

1. Three months retroactive payment of the new salary scale of January 2010.
2. The Christmas bonus, which is Nafls. 335,00 for those earning under Nafls. 2,845.00 and Nafls 250,00 for those above.
3. Pensioners will receive Nafls. 145,00.

Furthermore, the Board of the WITU would like the teachers and all workers of the Private Subsidized School boards to take note that this payment might be forthcoming on a later date for them, due to administrative procedures for the school boards to claim this extra pay in their subsidy request. Most likely by the end of May 2010.
Copies of the new salary scales January 2010 was distributed to the members of the WITU at General Membership Meeting of August 2009.
Any additional information pertaining to these salary scales can be obtained by contacting the respective unions.

MARIGOT—Detectives from the VAMA unit and the criminal unit of the Gendarmerie are busy investigating a broad daylight armed robbery which took place on Tuesday around midday. According to a press release from the gendarmes, armed bandits raided a jewellery store on Rue de la Liberte. The armed bandits held one of the staff at gun point before taking off with the loot. Staff members were taken to the back of the store while the bandits gathered their loot.

In an unrelated incident, a security guard managed to apprehend a 26 year old man on Friday when he was caught stealing a microwave oven from a hotel. A guest at the hotel also assisted with the arrest of the culprit who was later handed over to the gendarmes. The suspect is summoned to appear in court in June.

The gendarmes also arrested an 18 year old during a routine control. The young driver was not in possession of his driver's license. A search of his vehicle revealed that he was carrying an undisclosed amount of cocaine and marijuana.
The gendarmes also arrested a gypsy driver who was caught transporting passengers without a driver's license and transportation permits. The unlicensed driver has to appear in court later this year.
An investigation conducted by the gendarmes showed that the man's license was suspended for one year for traffic offenses he committed. He was caught transporting 11 passengers in the Sandy Ground area on April 21.

The SHTA was recently awarded the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association's 2010 newsworthy award for its electronic membership newsletter that is distributed twice monthly.
The award was presented to SHTA's Jr. Project Manager Valya Pantophlet during a 2-day Leadership Conference hosted by the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) earlier this week.
According to CHTA spokesperson Richard Kahn, the SHTA outshone the other competing islands because of consistency in each edition as it relates to industry statistics, news and upcoming CHTA events.
This is not the first time that the SHTA has won such an award. It received the Newsworthy Award for Excellence in Tourism Communication for its printed bi-monthly publication, The Voice, in 1998 and 2006.
The SHTA is thrilled to have its work recognized regionally and hopes to walk away with both awards (for electronic and printed newsletters) next year.

Great Bay,– St. Maarten/St. Martin is ranked fourth in the latest TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards Top 25 Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico, one spot ahead of Aruba, and just below Havana, Cuba. The first two places went to Chichen Itza, Mexico and The Bahamas respectively.
"Get the experience of visiting two island colonies in the same 37 square miles. Saint Maarten/Saint Martin's spicy marriage of Caribbean, French and Dutch cultures matches its physical diversity: the island is both urban and untamed, with rain forest-like landscapes, white beaches, and amazing caves and wildlife," TripAdvisor wrote about the island.
TripAdvisor is the largest online travel community in the world. It began its TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards in 2008 to "honor the world's top destinations, earning their distinction from those who know them best 'real travelers.'" In its inaugural edition, Philipsburg, St. Maarten was chosen as the third best vacation destination in the world, with only Milford Sound and Queenstown, both in New Zealand rated above it.
Last year when the Awards focused primarily on properties, Hotel Esplanade Caraibes in Grand Case was ranked number 7 in the region among the Best Hidden Gems of the Caribbean and Mexico.
"This is the third consecutive year in which our island has been chosen among the elite vacation destinations in the Caribbean & Mexico by those who matter most, real travelers – over 10 million of them, who give their unbiased opinions about places they have actually visited," noted Commissioner of Tourism, Frans Richardson.
"It is a testimony to the continued hard work of all stakeholders, particularly those who come in direct contact with the visitors – the taxi drivers, bell boys, waiters and waitresses, receptionists, etc.," Richardson continued, adding "the St. Maarten government will continue to work even harder to ensure that every visitor that touches our shores leaves with the most memorable vacation experience that will make them recommend our island to others."
Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega, for her part, noted that although the Island had slipped slightly from the number one ranking it achieved in 2008 when the first TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards were announced, "it is still very remarkable that millions of travelers were impressed enough to choose the destination among the very best in the region where competition for tourists is very fierce."
"It should be noted that the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards has focused on a different aspect each year. For example, in its first year, the Awards were general in nature while last year the emphasis was on the quality of the properties at the chosen destinations. This year there are several categories, apart from the general one. This means that regardless of the focus of the Awards, the destination continues to rate high as a favorite among travelers. There can be no better recognition than what these millions of actual visitors say about us online," added LaBega.
Hugh Riley of the Caribbean Tourism Organization described the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards as "of particular importance to the Caribbean as they reflect the unfettered opinion of our guests without provocation or persuasion."
"We want to impress our guests with an authentic Caribbean experience that can't be duplicated elsewhere in the world, whether they are looking for the perfect family, romantic or luxury getaway. This recognition proves that we are doing that and we thank our loyal guests for making their voices heard on our behalf," Riley concluded.

(Airport Road, St Maarten) Winair's ticket office was robbed earlier this morning by three gun touting youths. Managing Director of Winair, Edwin Hodge pointed out that the three young men posed as customers and held up the two female employees in the ticket office at the company's headquarters. He disclosed that the unfortunate incident occurred around 11.05 am earlier today and has left employees within the company traumatized.

"It is a very unfortunate incident that occurred today, however we are satisfied with the security systems that we have in place in detecting those responsible for this incident," Hodge said. Hodge pointed out that a small amount of cash, keys, and personal belongings of the two employees were stolen while stressing that fortunately no one was injured in the three minute ordeal.

He noted that after the three men entered the office they held up the employees while proceeding to hold other employees of the company at gunpoint. He said that however this was quickly aborted due to the quick reaction of staff.

"The safety and security of both our employees and customers are of paramount importance and therefore we will investigate this matter as we seek to ensure that those responsible for this unfortunate situation is brought to justice. I am very happy with the timely response of the police who were notified by employees and responded within minutes of the incident," Hodge said.

The WINAIR MD stressed that the company's security measures will be revisited in an effort to further enhanced it as it seek to maintain and guarantee employees and customers security and safety. He declared that all attempts will be made to ensure that justice is served. The three bandits escaped in a waiting car which was parked in front of the company's office.

Hodge expressed thanks and appreciation to the quick and timely response of employees who he said assisted in averting any potential damage to lives and property. The Human Resource Manager has contacted the company's doctor and psychologist to work with the affected employees.

Vice President of Marketing, Claudio Buncamper who was in his office a mere few yards away from where the robbery took place said that systems will have to be enhanced as its evident from the action of the young men that they were desperate adding that he is happy that no one was hurt.

Buncamper said that while it is the perception that large cash is held at the company it is a myth as the company has implemented strict security arrangements with regards to large amount of finances. Hodge and Buncamper expressed appreciation for the police timely response stressing that they are satisfied with the support and assistance being given thus far from the law enforcement officers. The police are investigating the incident.

GREAT BAY,– The Governor General of the Netherlands Antilles Frits Goedgedrag is scheduled to arrive on Monday morning from Curacao on an official visit to the three Dutch Windward Islands.

The Governor will also travel to Saba and St. Eustatius.

The Governor will be accompanied by his wife, the Director of his Cabinet and his Adjudant Lieutenant.

The Governor General and his delegation are scheduled to return to Curacao on May 13.

Philipsburg:--- A huge fire broke out at Bakkers Recyling on the Pondside yesterday evening. The entire Philipsburg was covered in thick black smoke as firefighters and police were battling to put the blaze out. From the look of the smoke it is clear Bakkers were storing chemicals and toxic materials among the wrekage.
Up to press time the cause of the fire was not determined. As bystanders stood on rooftops and alongside the road leading to Bakkers several explosions were heard.
Authorities at the fire department said they could not tell what is the cause of the fire.
Residents in the area said the fire began just around 4pm on Monday afternoon.
Efforts made to contact the managing director of Bakkers recyling on Monday afternoon for a comment proved futile.
Several residents in the area said they have been complaining to everyone about the danger Bakkers posed since the wrecks are piled up. One resident said that by the end of the month St. Maarten would be in hurricane season and with the piles of wrecks on the dump is something waiting to happen.
Jadira Veen of the St. Maarten PRIDE Foundation is calling on all residents living in the area to wear masks since the smoke and chemical emissions from the fire is a heath hazard. Veen said it is clear toxins is in the area and people should begin to take the necessary precautions. She further explained that it was unfortunate for this fire to take place since Bakkers is was looking to ship the car wrecks that were collected when it is feasible for the company.
SMN News learnt that concerned residents have already sent letters to the island government requesting that they do something to assist the company so they can ship off the wrecks more often.
During the commotion on the site police arrested photo journalist Gromyko Wilson because he crossed the line to take his photographs. It is not clear if Wilson was involved in any confrontation with the police at the time of his arrest.

Cay Hill: --- Officials of the fire department said they suspected arson maybe involved in the fire at the Bakkers Recycling on Monday. At a press conference on Tuesday Head of the Fire Department Winston Solomon told reporters that the police are now busy conducting an official investigation to see who are responsible for the suspected arson. Asked what made them think that the fire was set on purpose Solomon said that no one was at the scrap yard at the time when the fire broke out and most importantly the property is fenced in.
Solomon further indicated that there was a tank containing diesel at the location which caused the explosion at the site. He admitted that the fire department arrived on the scene a bit late but said the fire department had to make sure they had enough water to battle a fire of such magnitude. Fire Chief Frans Nieuwenhoven said they were forced to call in some of their firemen who were off duty to assist with the fire. Nieuwenhoven said at the site there were close to 2000 damaged cars which he found to be a lot.
He said when the firemen reached the scene the entire compound was on fire "basically the fire was from the right to left side which is already a lot of fire to put out." He said one should know that there is a lot of plastic in cars which is what contributed to the thick black smoke.
Nieuwenhoven said all of the fire trucks were on the scene to make sure there was enough water to battle the fire. The fire chief further explained that the fire department continued to pump water throughout the night to make sure the fire was completely out. "Actually we stopped the pumps at 8 am on Tuesday morning."
He said one of the reason, they were keeping people away from the scene was for their own safety due to flying debris and the explosions during the fire.
Solomon said one of the concerns of the fire department was the thick smoke emitting from the fire. He said they did all that was possible to drown the fire to stop the smoke, he also confirmed that the smoke was indeed toxic and that the excess gasoline and diesel that was on the site made matters worse for the firemen.

The management of the firemen expressed sincere gratitude to the 33 firemen who worked tirelessly to put the fire out. Solomon said they are very pleased with his personnel because they all worked hard on Monday afternoon. Many of them he said sustained minor injuries due to metal scrap. They also expressed gratitude to the police department and sector ROB who loaned them two excavators to remove the scrap vehicles.

Philipsburg:--- Members of the College Financieel Toezicht (CFT ) are doubtful that St. Maarten's executive council would get the green light and approval from the Central government to implement the extra one percent turns over tax by June 1. For this to happen the central government would have to amend the law and most importantly St. Maarten has to have an agreement with the other islands to allow them to increase turn over tax on St. Maarten only. While members of the CFT are not questioning St Maarten on its ability to get this done within the next two weeks they would be monitoring the situation to make sure it is feasible. Currently the tax compliance on St. Maarten is between 30 to 35% said the CFT. Max Pandt said based on administration information in Curacao, St. Maarten has a tax compliance of 30% which to him is rather low.
The CFT feels that with the suggestions they provided to the executive council St. Maarten would be able to yield more tax income in the years ahead. They said one of the requests they made to the executive council on Wednesday were for the island government to work harder on the suggestions made to them on tax revenues and to allow the CFT to closely monitor the island's financial development. They also agreed that the island council of St. Maarten should be aware of the new and additional conditions implemented on St. Maarten by the CFT.
They said the executive council has agreed to inform the CFT on a monthly basis the actual financial development so that they can determine at an early stage if there is going to be a crisis.
At a press conference on Wednesday CFT said that even though they are optimistic of the approach they are still willing to give the island government of St. Maarten the benefit of the doubt. Chairman of the CFT A.M Vliegenhart said the executive council could have chosen to implement other measures to increase revenues on St. Maarten rather than to increase the turn over tax. The chairman said St. Maarten has the lowest taxation compared to the other Caribbean islands and taxes could have been added elsewhere.

However, he made clear that the decision has to come from the island government of St. Maarten and not the CFT. The chairman said at this point in time there is no need for them to report to the Royal Dutch Government a negative report on the budget since they are still in discussions to balance the budget based on higher supervision laws, while making clear that they did not rule out that possibility neither given up that right.

The chairman said the moment they get indications that things are not going as stipulated in the budget then they would have to begin discussing other measures which would bring about a balance budget. One of the requests of the CFT is to make sure there is more tax compliance on St. Maarten since the taxes here are much lower that the other Caribbean islands, and they felt there is still room for St. Maarten to get more income tax. Should the island government explore these possibilities then they would definitely be able to reduce the other tax rates. However, these decisions have to be taken by the local politicians.
The chairman of the CFT said during their discussion with the island council members of the opposition expressed doubt about St. Maarten being able to increase the turn over tax by June 1. He said the opposition did not believe in the increase of the turn over tax and they made some other suggestions to the executive council.
The opposition believes that the executive council should look into getting the Dutch Antilles to transfer additional income to St. Maarten. The CFT feels that is a solution that could be considered by the island government and not the CFT.
They said that the federal tax receivers had given the executive council wrong figures when it comes to income tax. That they said had to be adjusted by 23 million guilders. Currently the budget lacks about 27 million guilders before it can be balanced and government has decided to make cuts of about 13.5 million guilders while they believe if they increase the turn over tax from 3% to 4% percent they would yield another 13.5 million guilders within a six month period which would balance the budget. Considering the economic down trend it is not possible to say if government would be able to collect that amount of monies.
Roland Tuitt and Max Pandt of the CFT committee admitted that the current finance commissioner Xavier Blackman has inherited a lot of set backs when he took office. Tuitt said Blackman did submit a realistic budget in the beginning. He said anyone who is dealing with the current process would do exactly what Blackman did by adding the monies the island was expecting with the transfer of the federal government to St. Maarten, but said the budget was submitted too late. Tuitt said when the budget was submitted the CFT had already approved the Curacao and the Federal Government budget. "Had St. Maarten submitted that budget in June last year then it would have been approved by the CFT." Tuitt said. Tuitt said St. Maarten did not get the opportunity to have a transition period and the figures they are presenting were not verified. He said when the CFT requested St. Maarten to remove the departments from the federal government from the budget then they ended up with a huge deficit which is not acceptable to the higher supervision laws. He said at that point the budget had a deficit of 25 million which is difficult for any government to fill.
While the island government is still looking for solutions to rectify and balance the 2010 budget they are supposed to present the 2011 budget to the CFT by August 15 and May 1 to the Island Council based on the rules of order.

Great Bay:--- As the tourism authorities take the new branding image of the destination on the road, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Mrs. Ank Bijleveld, is among the VIPs expected to attend the official launch in Holland of the new branding of St. Maarten scheduled to be held on May 20, 2010. Top executives of the firm representing the destination in The Netherlands, Interreps B.V., are leaving no stone unturned in order to get her to be present at this special occasion.
However, due to circumstances beyond his control, the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles, Mr. Marcel van der Plank, has expressed regrets he won't be able to be present. In his place, Mr. Robert Candelaria, Director of Antillenhuis, has confirmed his participation.
Commissioner of Tourism, Frans Richardson, will be leading the St. Maarten delegation to the event, accompanied by the Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega and Section Head Marketing, Edward Dest.
"It is very important to re-position St. Maarten in the Dutch market, especially taking advantage of the new branding of the island, which has been receiving rave reviews in all the other markets," said Commissioner Frans Richardson.
He added that he expects that the presence of high-profile Dutch authorities at the launch would further add weight to the initiative and bring greater media attention to the event.
"It is indeed an important component of our marketing strategy to ensure that the new branding of the destination reaches the target segment we are seeking to attract and this opportunity will hopefully result in the Dutch seeing St. Maarten in a new light," Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega said.
The new branding has already been launched successfully in the United States, and the Latin American markets.
"We are expecting similar positive results from the Dutch market," LaBega added.

MARIGOT— Someone who witnessed a thief as he was attempting to break into a car in the tourist office parking lot confronted the bandit and held him until the gendarmes arrived on the scene. The suspect who is 46 years old will be summoned to court later this year.
On Friday traffic blocked up for hours and workmen and gendarmes tried to remove a huge truck from the road way, the gendarmes stated that the vehicle overturned on the Belle Plaine road leading to the border. The driver of the truck was taken to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital to treat his injuries. To date there is no explanation as to why the truck overturned.

The gendarmes also conducted a major road control in Sandy Ground and Cheverise. The control was aimed at the anti- delinquency. The gendarmes arrested two persons for drug possession and seized 46 grams of cannabis.

The operation that began at 5:00pm and ended at 7:30pm was carried out by some 70 armed Gendarmes from different divisions, split into patrols, and with numerous vehicles.
The Gendarmerie noted the objective of the operation ordered by the Prosecutor was of a preventative nature generally but also to seek out any criminal intent. The operation also offered an opportunity to have direct contact with the population, and answer questions. It said such operations are organised in the interests of citizen's safety and security.
The helicopter from Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, is used to find missing persons, transporting Gendarmes into inaccessible areas, for reconnaissance, and to track criminals that are running from the law and to report their positions to ground units.

In collaboration with the Jewel Foundation and HAVO 1 students, the Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation coordinated a cleanup of marine trash at the Guana Bay Point last week.
The rocky coastline of the Guana Bay Point was littered with plastic litter, much of it was washed up trash originating from our local and surrounding coasts.
The volunteers found countless plastic bottles, sneakers, fishermen rope,house hold objects, medicine bottles, a discarded fish trap and Styrofoam pieces from boating activities.
This activity is part of the Jewel Foundation program to engage young students in volunteer work and to expose them to the islands environment.
The Jewel foundation facilitators are Edna Rijkaard and Oldine Bryson Panthoplet, they meet with the students every Friday to keep an open communication on the progress of their school work. The Program is sponsored by Dutch funding agency AMFO.
Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation President explained to the students how important it is that we respect our beaches and coastlines, and while the Guana Bay Point is a rocky coast and not a beach, we must do all we can to stop trash from entering our oceans.
Students learned that trash in our oceans and trash along our coastlines can kill our marine wildlife, and by simply taking a reusable eco-shopping bag to pack groceries and volunteering in cleanup campaigns is one of many ways they can positively contribute to helping our planet and keeping our island clean.

The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has taken note of the comments by its former President Kendall Dupersoy and questioned if he has not been paying attention. Dupersoy is late to the news.

The recommendations Dupersoy mentioned is exactly what the SCDF has already put in place some two weeks ago to guide Carnival forward and improvement upon our organizational structure. An advisory group consisting of former, well-standing presidents of the SCDF, business people, cultural experts and others is in place and in working on a plan in collaboration with the SCDF.

This group won't be the only entity assisting us professionally, financially and otherwise as we are implementing a complete new structure being led by the most reputable and successful Presidents the SCDF has ever had, Mr. Erno Labega.

While it may be topical to complain about Carnival, it should be noted by the public that through our actions to solicit the assistance of the advisory group, we have acknowledged that there are some areas of Carnival that require the input of several stakeholders and are committed to the improvement of said areas.

The SCDF is grateful that the aforementioned persons have decided to forgo complaining and finger pointing and help develop St. Maarten's largest cultural festival.

Furthermore, we do not hide from the fact that mistakes were made or that there are shortcomings, but we ask the public to consider the source of the latest criticism. We also remind the public that this current board inherited a number of issues from Dupersoy's short tenure as President including some which led to him being the only president in the history of the SCDF to be ousted from his post. Issues which we would not like to revisit again and as they have been thoroughly reported upon.

As we move forward in our preparations for Carnival 2011 we ask the general public for its patience and understanding and assure you that we will publicize our plan as we move along in the coming weeks.

Marigot:--- The committee that is supporting Robert Romney planned to take stronger measures to ensure that St. Maarten be given justice and that Romney remains on St. Martin to complete the work he began in bilingualism and education on St. Martin.
Aline Choisy, Lenny Mussington, Louis Jeffry and President of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs said that they are ready to block the streets of St. Martin and to make sure the Rectorat respects St. Martin's wishes.
"We are ready to do whatever it takes and right now we are busy informing our people of the current situation so they can join and support the efforts of the committee" said Aline Choisy. Choisy said teachers are planning to strike on Tuesday and they are working towards incorporating the Romney affair in the strike.
Fourth vice president Louis Jeffry said he already made contacts with all the media in Guadeloupe to highlight the current issues facing St. Martin, while the unions are also took up Romney's case.
Aline Choisy said it is her belief that violence would increase in the schools since many persons are unhappy with the current situation, she also acknowledged that Romney did not receive the full support of all the teachers and principals of the schools on St. Martin. "There are some who wants him out saying he did nothing, but I am urging people to go to Romney's office so he can show you the amount of work he did including an exchange program between the Dutch and French side for teachers and students without the means." She said Romney does not even have a secretary and that the person who is currently working in his office can be removed anytime the Rectorat wishes.

At press conference on Wednesday members of the committee produced documents to show that the Rectorat has published Romney's position as vacant even though they never formally notified Romney that he was going to be removed. Choisy said the President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin wrote the Rectorat and to date he did not receive a response, a clear indication that the Rectorat has no respect for St. Martin and its people. She further explained that she personally met with the Deputy of Saint Martin Mr. Victorin Laurel who promised to intervene on St. Martin's behalf in Paris while he would also demand an explanation from the Rectorat. Choisy said the vacancy was published two days after the May 5th protest march.
Asked if the Collectivity of St. Martin received a response from the Ministry fourth vice president Louis Jeffry said to date no one responded to them. However, he assured that the case is going much further since he is not giving up.
The committee also provided an Arête which showed that the Rectorat has appointed the Principal of the College Mireille Choisy of Saint Barths as the representative of the Rectorat in St. Barths. Choisy said Romney is still waiting on his decree from the Rectorat while all that was given to St. Barths is what the teachers on St. Martin held a strike for last year. Lenny Mussington said Robert Romney is a competent son of the soil who understands the predicament of education on St. Martin and thus he is calling on the community of St. Martin to support Robert Romney and to defend education on St. Martin.
The committee members said that they believe that Romney was set up to fail since he was not given the required materials and manpower to function over the past year. They said the Rectorat never gave Romney any monies for office supplies and he has been spending his own monies to get the job done.
Furthermore, the MOCSAM said that what is happening today with Romney is history repeating itself when it comes to locals being appointed to top positions. Gumbs said just last year they fought against the decision taken by the Collectivity and the Sous Prefecture when they appointed Laurent Fuentes as St. Martin's representative at the Social, Economic, and Cultural Council even though Rene Arnell received more votes. He said the MOCSAM has been speaking out against the injustice and they took the streets on more than one occasion but this time stronger measures will be implemented.

Philipsburg:--- What was once considered a rumor and efforts to stain well known businessman Bobby Velasquez is now a reality as detectives from the local police force arrested the businessman early Thursday morning.
According to information reaching SMN News, a close relative of the businessman filed an official complaint with the police department stating that the businessman and uncle to a 16 year old girl sexually molested her during the 2010 Heineken Regatta.
Public Prosecutor Rienk Mud has confirmed that Velasquez has been arrested but refused to give any details into the arrest and ongoing investigation.
Sources close the investigation and family members told SMN News that the young girl is highly traumatized by the incident and that her school board played a major role in the complaint and subsequent arrest of the alleged suspect.
SMN News also learnt that lawyers representing Velasquez claimed that the child's mother wanted to settle the matter for the sum of 1.5 million United States Dollars. However, other relatives and the school board felt that Velasquez should go before the court of law.
SMN News further learnt that Velasquez has filed a case against the family for extortion.
Some years ago a man who is currently serving a lifetime prison sentence raped and murdered Velasquez's seven year old daughter Amy Velasquez. The body of the young child was found in the Cole Bay Lagoon.

The entire team of Saint-Louis Stars football club would like to express its truest and honest appreciation for all those whom have contributed to the dollar drive held these last two Saturdays in Marigot. On May 15th, 2010 an total amount of $1937.81, after conversion of euro and NAf., was generated; May 22nd, totaled $1892.33 for the same manoeuvre. The Club gives a special thanks to those parents who have played their role to the fullest by participating and thus encouraging the fundraising efforts. The purpose of this operation was to enable the Saint Louis Rooster squad in a joint effort with the St Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation to participate in the "Disney Memorial soccer tournament" which will be held from May 27th to June 1st, 2010
The general public is thanked for their generosity.

Philipsburg:--- On Wednesday May 19th and Thursday May 20th during the evening and night hours general controls were held by the members of the Zero Tolerance team, Immigration the police Department assisted by members of the VKS. Several "hot spots" in the areas of L.B. Scot road, St Peters, Dutch Quarter, Middle Region, Cole Bay and Simpson bay were controlled by the officers. During these controls several persons were arrested and brought in for questioning for different violations, such as the possession of marijuana and not adhering to the identification laws etc.

During a control on Back street in the vicinity of DVD-PLUS a group of youngsters were spotted. Knowing this area to be one of the hot spots the officers proceeded to carry-out a general control. One young man in the group when noticed what was going on dropped a small white plastic container and tried to kick it under a parked car. However one of the officers picked-up the container and while checking it he noticed that it contained a large amount of cocaine rocks. The plastic container and its contents were confiscated for further investigation. The suspect with initials R.G. from Sint Maarten was arrested on the spot, taken to the police station and handed over the detectives of the Drugs and Fire Arms Department.
Police also intervened in a major school fight on Friday May 22. According to police spokesman Ricardo Henson, police dispatched seven police cars to the St. Maarten Academy (PSVE) where a major fight was taking place between rival groups of students attending that school.
On the arrival of the patrols the situation seemed to be partially under control by security and teachers. Several of the students involved in the fight had been taken to the main office awaiting the arrival of the police. A total of nine students were taken to the Philipsburg police station to sort out the matter. Many of the students behaved quite uncooperative and rude towards the police. However, they were severely reprimanded in the presence of their parent(s) or guardian(s). The cause of the physical confrontation is still unclear.

GREAT BAY,– The Collective Preventive Services Section Youth Health Care (YHC) is encouraging parents and guardians to visit the Open House scheduled for Saturday May 29 at the Vineyard Building in Philipsburg.

All children have to be properly immunized and the vaccinations are free. The open house is from 10.00am to 5.00pm and is being promoted under the theme "Reaching Everyone."

All parents/guardians should use the weekend – Saturday –and bring their children 0 thru 17 years of age to the Open House and have their child's vaccination status reviewed and then vaccinated against preventable communicable diseases.

YHC has an on-going campaign to promote a culture of prevention against vaccine-preventable diseases.

YHC's aim is to promote general information on the vaccination program as to the reasons why we vaccinate and stimulate the participation of parents in the vaccination program. The ultimate aim is to increase the vaccination coverage by getting more children on board as an act of love.

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

Vaccinations have proven to prevent outbreaks and the spread of contagious diseases and as such every parent is urged to ensure that their child's vaccination is up to date.

Vaccinations are given starting with the first one when the child is two months of age and finalized at age nine when the last series are given unless for whatever reason a child needs to catch up on his/her immunizations.

Vaccines have been proven to be the key factor in preventing childhood diseases, disability and death.

Parents should bring along with them their child's vaccination booklet/card. If you are not sure of the status of your child, you should contact either your general practitioner, your paediatrician, YHC or the White & Yellow Cross Baby Clinic for children up to four years of age. Parents who are unable to make it can send another 18+ adult with their child along with the signed consent form.

Philipsburg: --- Lt. Governor of the Island Territory of St. Maarten Franklyn Richards is scheduled to leave St. Maarten on June 1. While it is understood that the governor would be off island for 12 days to attend a conference in the Netherlands.
SMN News understands that Richards would also begin using up his vacation days that are due to him pending his retirement on August 10. Sources say Richards had asked to be paid for his vacation days but the island government has advised him that he would not be paid for those days and that he should take them starting June 1.
Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards will be making his 60th birthday on August 10 making him eligible for pension. However, he was appointed to the office of the Governor of St Maarten on September 22, 2000.
Asked about his departure on several occasions Richards said he would remain in office until 10/10/10. He once said that several reporters have written articles relating to him leaving office all of which are misleading. However, SMN News tried effortlessly on Tuesday to contact Richards on the information we received but he did not answer his phone. He said in the past that he would never leave office without informing the media and the people of St. Maarten whom he said were good to him.
Reliable sources have informed SMN News that the executive council have sent a proposal to the Governor General and to the council of ministers requesting that Richards be sent on vacation as of June 1. It is said the proposal was sent sometime ago but another letter was dispatched Monday evening.

If the proposal of the executive council is ratified then two well known persons in the community will be appointed as acting Lt. Governors until St. Maarten achieves its new status on 10/10/10 and a governor of country St. Maarten would then be appointed.

The source said the executive council is also asking the cabinet to remove the current acting Lt. Governor Millicent De Weever since her brother Leroy De Weever is an island council member. The current executive council have pointed out to the council ministers that De Weever should not have been appointed to office since having her brother as an island council member creates a serious conflict interest.

GREAT BAY,– Emergency Services Week (EMS), under the theme, "Anytime, Anywhere, We will be there," will come to an end late Friday afternoon with a Big Five Motorcade comprising of approximately 30 emergency vehicles from both sides of the island.

The Big Five Motorcade will kick off at 6.00pm from the Fire & Ambulance Building in Cay Hill and head towards Churchill Roundabout at Le Grand Marche; down the Bush Road; over the Prins Bernard Bridge; pass F.W. Vlaun & Son; down Front Street.

The motorcade will then continue to Emancipation Roundabout near the Sundial School and then down the Pondfill; turn right on the A.T. Illidge Road just before the Prins Bernhard Bridge; head up to South Reward and then back down to Churchill Roundabout; and back to the Fire & Ambulance Building in Cay Hill for refreshments.

The motorcade will be led by the Police and police vehicles will regulate traffic flow at various intersections as the motorcade approaches.
The number of vehicles involved and from the various departments and entities are: Police four; Island Government and Airport Fire Departments three; Ambulance Department five; WIEMS one; Red Cross four; Voluntary Korps two; Funeral Services two; and approximately seven vehicles from the North side Fire and Ambulance Services.

Ambulance Department Head Cylred Richardson said he was very pleased with the activities that have been organised for EMS Week.

"We have made much progress during the week that started on Sunday with a church service and now will conclude with the Big Five Motorcade. A lot of energy and effort has been put into promoting the ambulance emergency number which is 912. This was our primary objective for EMS Week 2010," Richardson told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday.

The Ambulance Service which falls under Sector Public Health is committed to providing timely pre-hospital medical care and transport for the sick or injured persons 24 hours a day seven days a week.

If you have difficulty reaching the 912 emergency number for whatever reason, the other two numbers that you can call are 5206262 or 542-2111.

Philipsburg:---A delegation of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles consisting of the parliamentary group leaders or their substitutes and headed by the Chairman of the Parliament, Mr. Pedro Atacho, will participate in the parliamentary contact meeting between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, which is to be held in Bonaire from June 1 through June 4 next. This meeting will take place at Passangrahan.

During the parliamentary contact the undermentioned topics will be dealt with:

• State of affairs with respect to the implementation of the Final Declaration;
• State of affairs with regard to the constitutional reforms;
• The free movement of persons between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba;
• Draft Kingdom Act on the movement of persons;
• Discussion relating to the foreign policy of the Kingdom;
• Evaluation of the Parliamentary Consultations between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba;
• Situation regarding the airspace between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba;
• Registration of ethnicity in the Netherlands;
• Presentation by the Ombudsman of the island territory of Curacao
• Airport tax between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

The opening discourses on June 1, 2010, starting at 10.00 o'clock, are public: the press and the public may be present. The deliberations on the specific points, will be held in closed sessions.
During the parliamentary contact a presentation will be given by the Minister of Constitutional and the Interior Affairs, Mr. R. Duncan, on the situation regarding the constitutional reforms.
A presentation will also be given by the Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr. P. Illidge, about the situation concerning the airspace between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.
A presentation will also be delivered by Ms Alba Martijn, LL.M., of the Office of the Ombudsman regarding her duties as Ombudsman.
All the presentations will be public. In addition, the delegations will pay a working visit to Cargill Salt Bonaire and Water en Electricity Company of Bonaire.

In conclusion, the chairmen of the respective parliaments will hold a press conference at the end of the parliamentary meeting in order to present the results of the parliamentary contact.

Philipsburg:---UTS donated Chippie prepaid credit to the St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation for their young soccer players that traveled to Orlando yesterday to take part in the yearly Memorial Day Soccer Tournament in Florida. This credit will be used for the young soccer players to keep in touch with their parents while they are away. "When kids travel abroad for something like this it is an exciting time, but naturally parents are also a bit nervous about their child travelling abroad without them. A simple phone call, letting mom and dad know that you arrived safe and sound is important for some peace of mind. If Chippie can help in making that possible, then we will gladly do so" says UTS Marketing and Communications Officer Ivy Lambert. "You are able to roam with your phone service in many countries using your Chippie prepaid phone. One important thing to keep in mind though, is that when you are roaming, you also pay for incoming calls. With the summer break coming up, many people are making travel plans, so if you want to stay in contact using your Chippie phone while you are away, be sure to have enough credit on your account." Lambert continues.

Thanks to UTS's donation of the call credit, the group of youngsters will able to stay in contact with their parents while they are away. They will be in Florida to participate in the Annual Disney Memorial Day Soccer Tournament from May 29th thru 31st. The tournament will be held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex located in Buena Vista, Florida, where they will be competing against teams from the United States and other parts of the world as well. Over 300 teams are expected to participate this year. The competition will give the youths a chance to showcase the soccer talent on St. Maarten. "This is not our first time going to this tournament and our players who competed last year are excited to be able to do so again." says Foundation President and coach, David Forsythe. The St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation's was founded with the intention to educate the general public about the game of soccer and to develop and train players, coaches and referees.

In picture: UTS representative, Ivy Lambert and Foundation President and coach, David Forsythe and another trainer pose with the excited, young players of the St, Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation at the Princess Juliana International Airport prior to their departure on Thursday.

MARIGOT:--- A special tribute to the late Laurelle "Yaya" Richards, one of St. Martin's acclaimed cultural activists, will air this weekend on Conscious Lyrics radio magazine, said host/producer Shujah Reiph.
Richards died on Wednesday, May 26, after a reported massive heart attack. She was the founder and president of St. Louis Cultural Women Association, and founder of the St. Louis-Freetown-Rambaud fête, celebrated yearly in mid-May.
Part one of the two-part radio program will air on SOS radio 95.9 FM, on Saturday, May 29, 12 noon. Part two will broadcast on Radio Soualiga 99.9 FM, on Sunday, May 30, at 12:30 noon.
In July 2008, Richards journeyed to South Africa as part of Conscious Lyrics Foundation's 160th anniversary celebration of St. Martin Emancipation. "Yaya always talked about returning to Africa again," said Reiph. "Now, as we say, she is with the ancestors in Glory."
Her first volume of poetry is scheduled to be published posthumously. The Collectivity's department of culture, with the enthusiastic support of Pres. Frantz Gumbs, has been busy working with a publisher on the book project since late last year.
Author and poet Lasana Sekou, one of the persons talking about Yaya on the radio programs this weekend, said that, "As a folklorist she projected the folklore aspect of the nation on modernity, with pride and confidence."

Philipsburg:--- Commotion broke out at Court House alley on Friday morning with the relatives of Bobby Velasquez and the relatives of the victim who claimed Velasquez sexually molested her.
According to eyewitnesses, relatives of Bobby Velasquez were waiting outside of the court house to see Velasquez who made his second appearance in front of the judge of instruction for pretrial detention.
Eyewitnesses and those involved in the commotion said an aunt of the victim was at the scene with a placard that reads "Stop the Abuse, R.V is 140% guilty". While relatives of Velasquez said the victim's aunt was insulting the relatives of Velasquez.
They said one of Velasquez sisters and niece approached the victim's aunt and told her that the matter is a family matter and both the suspect and victim are relatives and that she should allow the judicial system to take its course. However, tension flared as the two sets of relatives began arguing.

In the meantime, the judge of instruction has suspended the pretrial detention of Bobby Velasquez. His lawyer Jairo Bloem said his client was released about 6 pm on Friday afternoon. Bloem said the investigation of the case will continue.

SMN News will bring you a more in-depth story of this case on Monday.

It is frightening what some persons will do try to destabilize a secure and stable government in order to kill progress and change. Their only priority is scoring political points, not the progress of the island. This is clear from their hostile political ranting that they call press conferences. It is lamentable that never before has there been such desperation and hostility in St. Maarten politics. Each day seems to bring a desperate new set of attacks and misrepresentation from the DP.
The National Alliance also shares the concern of the people why the Democratic Party would give so much credibility to the King of Pinheads Bill O'Reilly who, according to the Washington Post and CBS news, supposedly settled millions in a sexual harassment lawsuit by his former producer Andrea Mackris. Why would DP praise someone whose authority and integrity is so questionable and yet at the same time seek to destroy one of our very own shining Antillean professionals in the Island Council? But then again, what do you expect from a party that takes advice from people who allegedly run around our neighborhoods in their underwear? As suggested by the young DP Vice President, who recently placed his position at the disposal of his party, young, educated and talented professionals do not stand a chance under the selfish DP Leadership.
True "Country Above Self" puts people above party politics and personal gain. It is about working together for St. Maarten. It is about building people up, not tearing people down. That is why the National Alliance Party stands resolute in our belief that Commissioner of Finance Xavier Blackman is qualified, competent and capable to help take us into country-status. Xavier Blackman is a professional financial expert. He has an excellent background and he is highly respected in the Caribbean and Europe in both the private and public sectors. He has also served exceptionally as State Secretary for Finance on behalf of Saba in the Central Government, and as the Associate director of distinguished firm KPMG. We are confident that Mr. Blackman will emerge as one of the best Finance Commissioners St. Maarten has ever had.
The challenge before us, therefore, is to change our political habits, to renounce political tribalism, to purge ourselves of the old selfish political bickering, enmities and divisions, to renew our St. Maarten nation, and put aside once and for all the bitterness that fan the flames of hostility and anger sweeping our friendly island. The St. Maarten people deserve better. We all saw for ourselves once again that how the Democratic Party had an opportunity to show the people of St. Maarten that it could rise above crab mentality party politics, but instead they chose to try every trick available to them to derail and sabotage the constitutional process. It is clear that DP is posturing for the next Election, but the National Alliance is still working for the future generation. Together, we are moving St. Maarten forward.

For O'Reilly Law Suit Settlement see:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7578-2004Oct28.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/20/entertainment/main650282.shtml

MARIGOT—Two men were sentenced on May 28th for attempted murder after they fired shots at a man in Sandy Ground on Tuesday May 25th. According to a press release from the gendarmerie a 22 year old man was the main suspect who was sentenced to three years behind bars while his accomplice was sentenced to six months suspended sentence with 18 months probation.
The duo fired shots at a 20 year old man but missed. They then escaped by car but were apprehended the next day by the investigating officers.

PHILIPSBURG - The University of St. Martin (USM), through a series of lectures, will be offering the community of St. Maarten an opportunity to hear from government officials and other experts in their fields who are participating in building country St. Maarten.
The first of the lecture series will be held on May 6th, 2010 at the USM. The duration of the lecture is 3 hours, commencing from 7.00 p.m. until 10.00 p.m
According to USM President Josianne Fleming-Artsen, the main objective is to inform the community and bring about more consciousness on the constitutional status. She added that the first lecture is called The Duncan Lecture, with the theme How prepared are we?" The guest speakers will be Minister Roland Duncan and his team.
Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles recently passed the 'Duncan Law' or the Transition Regulation Early Elections which paves the way for St. Maarten to move closer to Country status. Minister Duncan is expected to address the finer details of 'Duncan Law', and the preparedness of country St. Maarten, as we step out of the Netherlands Antilles.
Minister Duncan was also a delegate to the second Chamber discussions where St. Maarten and Curacao were given the green light to become country by 10.10.10. He was instrumental in the entire dismantling process and will be updating the public on this matter.
Accompanying Minister Duncan is Mr. Terry Peterson who will address and focus on the Caribbean and International alliances Country St. Maarten will be networking with. These are all new areas St. Maarten will be venturing into since this was the authority of the Netherlands Antilles.
"USM is very proud to be able present to the St. Maarten public the opportunity to be informed at these lecture series," President Fleming said.
She added that the lecturers are selected based on their profound knowledge of Kingdom Principles of the Netherlands, Constitutional changes that will affect our country laws and government tax laws based on the new Draft Constitution for Country St. Maarten.
The general public is invited to attend the first of the USM's lecture series on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the University of St. Martin from 7pm to 10pm. All the lectures are free. The USM lecture hall has a seating capacity for about 200 people and attendants are urged to be on time.

Great Bay :--- St. Maarten's commissioner of sports, Frans Richardson is most encouraged about prospects for a proposed drag race strip for St. Maarten, after attending an international drag fest held over the weekend on Curacao.
Commissioner Richardson had traveled to Curacao to personally lend his support to the St. Maarten team participating in the event, which attracted tens of thousand of drag race enthusiasts.
Represented by the St. Maarten Drag Racing Association, St. Maarten had been invited to attend the event by the 'Fundashon Autosport Curacao'.
"Such events can mean a whole lot for revenues and should be seen within the framework of sports tourism" says Commissioner Richardson.
St. Maarten took part in the event with 4 race cars and 3 bikes. The participation of St. Maarten was made possible through the St. Maarten tourism bureau.
Other participating teams came from Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Venezuela and the U.S.A.
The event was staged at the Curacao International Raceway which boasts a track located on a plateau which is 50 meters above sea level. The 1/4 mile drag strip has a track width of 62 feet with concrete guardrails.
The track is owned by Fundashon Autosport Curaçao (FAC), a non-profit foundation.
Commissioner Richardson supports the ongoing initiatives of local drag race enthusiasts and says that he looks forward to the day when St. Maarten can start promoting motor sport activities, by organizing races and other events.

French Quarter:---- The Court of Grand Instance in Basse-Terre has ruled in favor of SMN News in the case brought against them by the Collectivity of Saint Martin. The Collectivity in its effort to silence the media and democracy filed two court cases against SMN News namely its reporter Bibi Hodge Shaw. Judge Auguste in her ruling on April 27th 2010 has declared the case brought against Hodge-Shaw to be null and void and has condemned the Collectivity of St Martin to pay 1000.00 Euros in damages.
The first case was filed on October 16, 2009 by the Collectivity's Communications directress Collette Erivan and the Collectivity of Saint Martin. The court ruled on November 3rd 2009 that the case brought against Hodge-Shaw was also null and void and condemned Erivan to pay the sum of 1,500. 00 Euros including the expenses, so far Erivan has not made any attempts to comply with the ruling of the court.
On October 26th 2009 the Collectivity of Saint Martin filed its second case based on an article SMN News published on October 9 2009 about the use of government vehicles and gasoline privileges. The case was filed before the executive or territorial council took a decision to file a case against Hodge-Shaw or SMN News.
The executive council in its meeting on November 5th 2009 took a decision to take Hodge Shaw to court claiming she is using SMN News (blog) to defame elected officials that are seen using their "voiture" de function outside of their public duties. The Collectivity also charged that Hodge Shaw has been abusing the freedom of expression. The council took a decision on the same day to pay all expenses Erivan endured during her court procedures. At the end of this article the attestation to support the statements made by the President of the Collectivity Frantz Gumbs is published.
In this meeting of November 5th one of the vice presidents who were implicated in the article of October 9th was allowed to vote, creating a conflict of interest. SMN News has since requested the Administrative Courts to annul the decision of the executive council. The case in the administrative court is still pending.
Representing SMN News in these legal battles and to preserve a free press as well as democracy is Maitre Jan Marc Ferly. Maitre Ferly in his arguments to the courts said the summons and its motives are invalid based on jurisdictions. Maitre Ferly pointed out that this is in violation of article 53 and also requested that the court wait on the decision of the administrative courts. Attorney at law Ferly asked the court to condemn the COM to pay Hodge Shaw 15,000 Euros for damages of moral prejudice and to also condemn the COM to a civil fine of 4,000 Euros based on article 700 or the civil procedure.

GREAT BAY,– The application process for Mobility Passes for the 2010 Hurricane Season that started April 19 will conclude on May 21. Potential applicants from the business sector and vital organizations have less than three weeks before the deadline to submit their request.

The pass allows the aforementioned groups to assess possible damage to their property after the passing of a hurricane.

For the 2010 season, the application form as well as information sheet can be downloaded from the Fire Department's website www.brandweersxm.net under the link "Hurricane Information."

The hurricane pass application procedure is only intended for businesses and vital organizations with respect to their key personnel receiving an exemption to a curfew.

The Office of the Fire Department & Disaster Management is handling the application process for the passes on behalf of the Governor of the Island Territory of St. Maarten.

The application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management, located at Jackal Road 5, Cay Hill before May 21, 2010, with all necessary documents attached.

Philipsburg:----Flabbergasted was the reaction of Island Councilman Roy Marlin on the statement made by the leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin on the matter of the Democratic Party faction in the Island Council asking questions. The Commissioner when in opposition lived by the motto the people have a right to know. Or do the people only have a right to know when the National Alliance is in opposition and when they are in government then the people have no rights. On the matter of the cooperation kingdom law that was discussed in the central committee meeting of Thursday, several administrative areas will require a plan of approach after 10/10/10. One such area mentioned is the land registry foundation (Kadastre). In my opinion this responsibility after being transferred from the Central Government to the Island Territory in 1998, is today functioning optimally and the question asked for which answers should be given is why the land registry foundation? The Democratic Party leader sent several questions in writing prior to the meeting of Thursday and again promises that the information will be provided before the Island Council meeting to discuss this issue. It is hard for me to understand the statement by the Commissioner "Giving information is not an issue, but the piling on of more and more questions after government has
provided answers does not bode well for St. Maarten to be prepared for its new tasks ". The Democratic Party would not be asking questions if information is provided by government. We are still to receive information on many outstanding issues among which the report that the Commissioner of Finance claimed he had to justify the increase income for the budget year 2010.
Another statement by the Commissioner "The draft constitution has been around for more than eight years and all parties in the Island Council are aware of its contents, except for the changes made recently by the Vetting Committee, so there is no need to ask 100 questions." What is the Commissioner implying with this statement? That the DP faction should rubber stamp the constitution for future country St. Maarten. The Commissioner charged with Constitutional Affairs should have been out having public hearings to involve the community at large on the contents of the constitution. In the absence of these public hearings the Democratic Party will definitely make sure that when this is debated in the Island Council that sufficient information is provided by government to bring about awareness on the constitution. The Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs of Curacao Ms Zita Leito is under the same time pressure, but she already started involving the people and the opposition in the discussions on the constitution for country Curacao, we are still to start these discussions. As stated during the meeting on Thursday by the Democratic Party faction, we are prepared to meet on Saturday or Sunday, morning or evening to move the process forward but we will not allow ourselves to be railroaded by the Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs into handling important matters just because of the incompetence of the Executive Council to properly prepare these prior to 10/10/10. The statement of today by the leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin, while toned down somewhat in comparison with one he made on the floor of the Island Council some time back in essence remains the same. Shut up and go home. Don't ask any questions.

Philipsburg:--- There are a number of island council meeting scheduled for this week. The first meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday morning. The meeting scheduled for Monday is to deal with matters on labour related issues, the solid waste disposal facilities and government plan of approach on the consensus as well as the articles of incorporation on Telem.
All of the agenda points were already discussed in previous meetings. However, it appears as if the members of the island council would have to wait a longer than expected on Monday since the Leader of Government William Marlin and Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards is scheduled to be on the French side on Monday morning to attend a press conference to launch a campaign on earthquake awareness.
The earthquake awareness campaign is a joint mission of the two sides. SMN News learnt that Acting Lt. Governor Millicent de Weever will be representing the Governor Richards as he intend to stay on the Dutch side to open the island council meeting,
Another island council meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday to deal with the CFT and budget related matters. SMN News learnt that Commissioner of finance Xavier Blackman was planning to leave the island to attend Passat recruitment in the Netherlands but leader of government William Marlin cancelled the commissioner's trip.

Philipsburg:---Commissioner Theo Heyliger in response to the questions posed by members of the Democratic Party on the Waste Disposal facility answered a number of the questions posed to him.
Heliger first addressed the questions posed to him by island councilman Leroy De Weever.
De Weever wanted to know exactly how much time does the island government has on the landfill. In his response Heyliger said the life span of the sanitary landfill has reached it's life span and at present they are making the landfill higher as the available space presently is being reserved for the new solid waste processing plant. At present government would be able to use the landfill for a maximum of about 1- 1.5 years. Further expansion in the Great salt pond is no option considering the minimum storage capacity of the pond as elucidated in the report on the storage capacity by Lievens of February 2nd 2009. Continuation of the present landfill will result in further raising of the level of the top of the landfill to undesirable heights. The situation at the landfill is critical.
De Weever also wanted to know if the island government had exhausted its efforts to cooperate with the French side for a waste disposal facility. Heyliger said government has done all it could do to include the waste processing of the French side. Without the necessary cooperation from the relevant French services this could not materialize. To eventually make it possible to process waste from the French side the environmental requirements for the plant have been increased by making the EU requirements applicable in the tender documents. Heyliger then went on to quote excerpts from a magazine where the vice president of environmental affairs said the two sides of the island have been working on such a system for quite some time but nothing has materialized. Aliotti admitted that French St. Martin is probably not "in the same time frame" regarding implementing a joint system with Dutch St. Maarten.
He argued that while both sides need to tackle the issue head on, French St. Martin has already made significant strides in this area in keeping with mandatory requirements from France.
The full text of Heyliger's response follows;-

Answers and Questions IC members

Answers to questions of S. Wescott Williams:

1. Are commitments to any of three firms are already made. Two of them are part of the negotiating part, are they asked as part of the negotiating teams or is this in addition? A: Commitments have been made to HBN Law and KPMG Corporate Finance in January 2009. Both companies also support the negotiation team. No commitment has been made to KEMA with regard to the Independent Cost Quality Engineering services.
2. What in gvt's opinion are these less than desirable effects of this particular system? A: Each waste thermal processing system will produce air emissions. These air emissions can be reduced to an acceptable level in accordance with emission norms set by EU, USA or Netherlands Antilles. Cleaning of these air emissions is in the final stage, just before leaving the stacks, done in a so-called bag filter house. These bag filters must be exchanged on a regular basis by new bag filters. The exchanged bag filters are contaminated with different chemicals, that otherwise would be released freely into the environment, and must be stored in special closed bags and be landfilled. This is a normal procedure that comes with all of these kind of waste processing systems. An option could be to export these bag filters to for example a special processing plant in Rotterdam or elsewhere in the world. This will be investigated. The air emissions from the BOS (Batch Oxidation System) system are less compared to these of the average incineration systems. Also the ash residuals are of better quality compared to the incineration systems. The Environmental Health Impact Assessment will give extensive insight in these issues. The present landfill produces air emissions which are not in accordance with environmental requirements. Let alone the air emissions which are released during fires at the landfill. Continuation of the present landfill will result in further filling up and raising of the level of the top of the landfill up to undesirable heights. The present landfill is an eyesore and environmentally unacceptable (reference is made to court case against government with regard to the smoke and smell of the landfill). Compared to the air emissions from the present landfilling activities the new processing facility will be a great environmental improvement.
3. Has an environmental impact study been commissioned? if so, by who and can we get a copy? A; Yes, the Environmental Health Impact Assessment has been executed by Royal Haskoning, Ecovision and WtTZ (the latter presented by an experienced environmental health physician). The final report has been submitted on October 29, 2009. A presentation of the study for the Central Committee is scheduled for the second half of May. A copy of the study will be submitted to the IC members before this presentation.
Ref. Letter of the Island Council status of affairs (HBN and KPMG):
4. 'smp' request explanation. A: reference is made to the "St. Maarten Peil". The SMP (main sea level) is used as a benchmark for leveling.
5. What is the minimum water surface in the pond for its buffer function; how much of this has the ringroad project absorbed and how much remained. A: In May 2007 bureau Lievense was commissioned by government to develop a report about the buffer capacity of the Great Salt Pond. The final report was dated on February 2nd 2009. The minimum capacity of the Great Salt Pond is 110 hectare. With projected ring road including the eastern part the remaining surface of the pond will be a little more than 110 hectare. Without the eastern part the remaining surface will be 114 hectare.
6. Who were the 4 companies selected. Can we receive their definition of a local company? A; Veolia, Verde, Interstate Waste Technology and Windward Roads. A local company is a company registered on St. Maarten.
7. Did those 2 proposals by the company include the Cole Bay alternative; was it separately or was the alternative one of the two proposals submitted. A: Windward Roads submitted in fact 3 proposals. Each proposal had an option for an alternative location on a land reclamation at Cole Bay.
8. Which 4 proposals were evaluated as stated by Exco in their letter on page 3? A: The proposal of Interstate Waste Technology and 3 proposals of Windward Roads.
9. Island Ordinance of Financial Mgt: ER is requested to ratify the procedure that has been followed, it is not asked to ratify the projects. Need clarification. A: The ordinance on financial management has been established at a time in which these kind of more complex tender procedures were not customary. To secure that the pursued tender procedure is in accordance with the ordinance the Island Council is requested to ratify the pursued tender procedure. The approval of the project will be requested when the final project dossier is presented to the Island Council.
10. Electricity generated by thermo processing is referred to as green electricity? A: Yes
11. How much if the electricity which possible can be generated do we estimate in the final analysis can go to GEBE? A: +/- 60 million kwh per year
12. Is gvt saying that they will encourage GEBE to look into other alternative Energy sources, in addition to the green Energy available of the plant, or is it specifically referring to the green electricity. A: In the new ordinance and concession for electricity production and distribution GEBE will be encouraged to produce green energy besides the energy from waste.
13. In what fashion, how far specifically and to what amounts these components changed. A: In the tender documents and submitted proposals the total amount of waste was established at 115,000 ton per year. Based on the waste weighing analyses in the one year period from April 2009 until April 2010 the total amount of waste delivered at the gate of the landfill is established at 140,000 ton per year. The financial and technical consequences will be presented in the final project dossier to be presented for approval to the Island Council.
14. Is the final decision by ExCo on the system to be deployed dependent on the KEMA advice or is KEMA authorized to work with the contractor. Did ExCo make a decision on the system or will the advice from KEMA also be a reason to look into another system? A: On December 17th 2008 the EXCO has chosen for the BOS system. The final decision to approve the selected system as proposed by Windward Roads will depend on a positive advice on the chosen system by KEMA.
15. Are they referring to the tariff structure as proposed by or used by KEMA A: The expertise of KEMA is not second guessed with regard to the new tariff structure. However KEMA was commissioned by GEBE and not by government. Government wants to secure the interest of the consumers through a second opinion especially with regard to the input given by GEBE for the development of the new tariff structure. There are two interest at stake, the consumer and the corporate interest of GEBE. Government wants to ensure that both interest are well taken into account. Recently discussions have taken place with Bureau Telecom which recently has executed a similar evaluation of the new tariff structure on Curacao.
16. Negotiations with GEBE: will they have an effect on the agreement of which is still at the Governors office? A: No. These negotiations have already been taken place.
17. Will it not be extremely difficult for other law firms and financial company to bid on this process as relevant experience is used as criteria A: relevant experience is of imperative importance with regards to projects of this magnitude. Certain other law firms are already engaged by parties involved in the project.
18. Negotiations French side: to what gvt attribute those failed negotiations A: Government has done all it could do to include the waste processing of the French side. Without the necessary cooperation from the relevant French services this could not materialize. To eventually make it possible to process waste from the French side the environmental requirements for the plant have been increased by making the EU requirements applicable in the tender documents. The following excerpt from Enviro News Magazine's November 2007 interview with the Vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainable Development of French St. Martin Mr. Pierre Aliotti, may serve as further information: "On the issue of cooperation with Dutch St. Martin, Aliotti has already met with new Environment Affairs Commissioner on Dutch St. Maarten Theo Heyliger last September on several issues including continuing exploratory talks to implement a joint waste disposal system. The two sides of the island have been working on such a system for quite some time already but nothing has materialized to date. Aliotti admitted that French St. Martin is probably not "in the same time frame" regarding implementing a joint system with Dutch St. Maarten. He argued that while both sides need to tackle the issue head on, French St. Martin has already made significant strides in this area in keeping with mandatory requirements from France. "A few years ago St. Martin's garbage system had been in a terrible state and the prefecture had summoned us to deal with the situation. We had to deal with it so there have been some major improvements in what used to be a complete shame on St. Martin. " he said referring to the state of garbage disposal in the past. "So right now there is no immediate emergency for us because part of the problem has been taken care of already."
Furthermore the following activities has taken place in cooperation with the French side:
• A presentation to Mr. Roy Marlin, Commissioner in charge of Public Works, and his staff on February 15th, 2006;
• An official visit to West Indies Environnement Développement Recyclage SAS (WIDER) plant ECODEC in Guadeloupe of Mr. Ludwig Ouenniche of the Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. Jadira
Veen, President of Sint Maarten Pride Foundation, on October 4th, 2006;
• A presentation to several representatives from the Public and Private Sectors and the Environmental Organizations from both French and Dutch sides, on November 8th, 2006. In that meeting were present, Mr. Storeteller and Mr. Mooij.
• Visit to plants in France and Spain, September 10-12, 2007
• two meetings with Commissioner Theodore Heyliger and Dr. Max Ogoundélé-Tessi, head of Technical Services of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin with WIDER

19. 3 BOS: Is this a maximum system for the landfill. A: the system can be extended to more than 3 BOS trains. In fact the building can already house a 4th BOS train.
20. Attractiveness of this area for private development and commercial will be affected. When it comes to gvt services it will not be a problem. Why gvt draws this parallel there. Can it be put into the perspective of the Almere Plan. This plan should be up for discussion in the Island Council. A: In the "Almere plan" the proposed designation of the area of the projected waste plant was designated for housing. In the plan was no space projected for a waste plant. The waste plant at that time was supposed to be located at the French side or in Cole Bay (reclamation). The attractiveness for commercial businesses to locate their enterprises in the western part of Pond Island is of course influenced by the designation of the western part (waste plant or housing).
21. Cole bay option: why is government considering the cole bay option? The potential maximization of that area? And if that is the case, what time period are we talking about, what amount of years will the landfill be able to process waste processing plant? A: The Cole Bay area with its present large companies is a more appropriate location for a concentration of large scale industries. In many governmental studies and plans the present industrial area along the coast of the Cole Bay has been indicated as the most favourable location for further extension of larger scale commercial development. Considering the limited space at this location ideas have been worked out in the past to expand the area with a land reclamation in the eastern part of the bay. In 2007 a Preparatory resolution has been taken for the development of St. Maarten West based on the Development Perspective St. Maarten West by Island Design (Lanjouw). Included in this Perspective was the zoning of the eastern part of the Cole bay for larger industrial activities. It is therefore an obvious location choice for a waste plant. However land must be created through a land reclamation and/or purchase and excavation of land. The realization of such will take time and extra money. The time and financial consequences of an eventual combination of both locations (Cole Bay and Pond island) will be worked out and presented to the Executive and Island Council, when the project dossier is finalized. The critical stage of the present landfill with a further rising summit and environmentally unacceptable method of waste processing will hereby be considered.
22. Cole Bay area: Financial impact, environmental impact all according to gvt view:should Cole Bay be even be an option at all. A: The Island Council can take a final decision based on the time and financial consequences. As elucidated in the previous answer the government has taken a Preparatory resolution to designate the eastern part of Cole Bay for large scale industrial activities making the Cole Bay area in principle an obvious option for the location of a waste processing plant.
Questions and answers R.R. Marlin:

1. Provide clarity on what type of fees will be associated with the waste to energy on the processing? What type of tipping fee is the BC considering for the waste to energy solution? Pls. provide elucidation on the fees structure? A: The income sources to pay for the waste processing are: 1) the income from the energy produced from waste to be sold to and paid by GEBE, 2) the variable concession allowance based on electricity consumption GEBE has to pay to government and GEBE can pass on to the consumers. The income sources 1 and 2 are included in the new ordinance and concession for electricity. The precise numbers will be presented in the final project dossier.
2. What is the total budget estimated for building of the facility? A; Total investment costs are budgeted at +/- $ 115 million.
3. Clarity of the role of Agrisoil NV? Will they still be involved? A; The state of affairs of Agrisoil has been reviewed. An eventual alternative for Agrisoil is presently being considered.
4. Status of the process of government regulating the price of electricity on St. Maarten? A: The new electricity ordinance will be presented to the Island Council in the course of this month. We hope to be able to grant the new concession to GEBE soonest possible.
5. Why would the IC be asked to ratify the process started with Windward Roads? Pls. explain is this is really necessary because in my opinion this process was started with a public bidding process. A: A: The ordinance on financial management has been established at a time in which these kind of more complex tender procedures were not customary. To secure that the pursued tender procedure is in accordance with the ordinance the Island Council is requested to ratify the pursued tender procedure. The approval of the project will be requested when the final project dossier is presented to the Island Council.
6. Is the Exco. considering institution some type of independent control authority that can be charged with the monitoring or will we enter into agreement with someone of the Dutch institutes and that they will then do on behalf of government the monitoring? How will this cost be carried by government? What type of sanctions will be placed on the contractor if not live up to the norms set? A: An independent control and monitoring authority is being considered to secure and independent and competent monitoring of the environmental requirements set in the Design Built Finance Maintain Operate-contract. Cost will be carried by the concession holder. Appropriate sanctions and penalties will be included in the DBFMO contract to be presented to the Island Council.
7. Give explanation on the collectability on the solid waste field? A: As elucidated in answer to question #1 the necessary income to pay for the waste processing will be anchored in law (new ordinance for electricity and new ordinance for waste). The concession allowance GEBE has to pay to government will be an operational expense.
8. Elucidation VROM, zie bijlage in de brief aan de ER: document needs to have some type of formal and legal basis of this document. A: The elucidation with regard to the location of the facility must be considered as approved by the Executive Council.
9. Are the proposals HBN law and KPMG ready and when will the ER be able to receive these? A: The proposals are part of the project dossier that will be presented for approval to the Island Council.
10. Provide an update on the concession for GEBE? A: The new ordinance for the production and distribution of electricity has been send for consultation to the Governor in the third week of March. Since 6 weeks have now passed without any reaction from the governor the ordinance (and concession) will be send to the island council soonest possible!
11. Kyoto protocol: Carbon credits: can the experts look into this matter re. selling carbon credits to the developing nations. If the possibility exists will BC consider pursuing this? A: A study has been awarded to KEMA to investigate the possibility of receiving carbon credits for the proposed project. KEMA will submit the study in the course of this month.
12. letter April 14, 2010: the closing chapter of this letter should also indicated to ratify the proposal private tender with KPMG and HBN law. I have not seen a separate letter to ratify the process with HBN law. A: Under HBN Law the same request to the IC has been made to ratify the procedure with HBN Law.

Questions and answers G. Pantophlet:

1. What it will mean for the health of the people of St. Maarten. French side will also be affected. A: the facilities will process the waste within the environmental requirements as set by the EU for air emissions, water, noise. The EU requirements are more stringent than the requirements as established by the federal government of the Netherlands Antilles.

Questions and answers R. Samuel:

1. Idea originated by the former gvt, what was the feelings by the former gvt to solving this problem in this way. It is good to know the feelings of the previous and current gvt A: the landfill is full. Continuation of the landfill will result in further filling up of Pond Island and/or raising the level of the top of the landfill up to undesirable heights. Furthermore the landfilling is an eyesore and environmentally unacceptable (reference is made to court cases against government with regard to the smoke and smell of the landfill). A solution for the processing of waste has become very urgent. In the past various governments has tried to solve the problem together with the French side.
2. Will it be possible to process garbage from the French side. A: Yes, but only after expansion of the facilities.
3. How many cubic pounds of waste is equivalent to amount of fuel. What is the amount of garbage is used to produce the same amount of energy. A: The proposed system can supply a total (including own use of the plant) of +/- 9 Mega Watt. From an annual 100,000 ton of waste approx. 70 million kwh can be produced through the BOS system.
4. Can the system proposed reduce the size of the landfill. If the system can do this, the people will be happy to support this. Are there systems that we can acquire to do this. A: The system can reduce the size of the landfill. The reduction will depend on the capacity of the plant. The plant can easily be expanded.
5. If this proposal is carried when will the study start? A: As soon as possible after the approval of the Island Council the contract will be commissioned.

Questions and answers L. Laveist:

1. who proposed to put a garbage disposal plant in cole bay? A: The Cole Bay area with its present large companies is a more appropriate location for a concentration of large scale industries. In many governmental studies and plans the present industrial area along the coast of the Cole Bay has been indicated as the most favourable location for further extension of larger scale commercial development. Considering the limited space at this location ideas have been worked out in the past to expand the area with a land reclamation in the eastern part of the bay. In 2007 a Preparatory resolution has been taken for the development of St. Maarten West based on the Development Perspective St. Maarten West by Island Design (Lanjouw). Included in this Perspective was the zoning of the eastern part of the Cole bay for larger industrial activities. It is therefore an obvious location choice for a waste plant. However land must be created through a land reclamation and/or purchase and excavation of land. The realization of such will take time and extra money. The time and financial consequences of an eventual combination of both locations (Cole Bay and Pond island) will be worked out and presented to the Executive and Island Council, when the project dossier is finalized. The critical stage of the present landfill with a further rising summit and environmentally unacceptable method of waste processing will hereby be considered.
2. has the people of cole bay been consulted? And through which medium? Have the people of cole bay been briefed? A: Since the Exco has chosen for Pond Island as the most pragmatic location solution, no consultations have been taken place with the people of cole bay.
3. where would that electricity be generated through? A: From the waste facility through the pond island transformer house.
Answers to questions of P.L. de Weever:

1. Page 2, paragraph 1 at lines 5 and 6 state that "In 2008, the estimate for available
space was calculated with a result that only a few years were left prior to
achieving maximum capacity."

Please provide the Island Council with the details of this estimate and calculation
and also clarify exactly how many years is a "few years". Is it 2 or 10 years?
Also, please provide the name and background of the company that was
commissioned to provide the estimate and calculations.

1.
a. The life span of the sanitary landfill has reached it's life span and at present we're making the landfill higher as the available space presently is being reserved for the new solid waste processing plant. At present we will be able to continue for a maximum of about 1- 1.5 years. Further expansion in the Great salt pond is no option considering the minimum storage capacity of the pond as elucidated in the report on the storage capacity by Lievens of February 2nd 2009. Continuation of the present landfill will result in further raising of the level of the top of the landfill to undesirable heights. The situation at the landfill is critical.
b. The original company that made the "stortplan" was Afvalzorg Nederland together with Witteveen+Bos back in 1998 and then it's estimated lifespan was 10 years. We have already passed that lifespan and the latest change we made on the stortplan was done internally and we've been able to add on a couple of years to the present lifespan. That is now do coming to an end.

2. Page 2, paragraph 1 at lines 6 and 7 state that "Further expansion of the dump is
not possible in light of maintaining a minimum water surface in the pond for its
buffer function during heavy rains and hurricanes."

Please provide the exact date when it was determined what the required minimum
water surface should be.

2. The minimum water drainage surface was determined by the engineering firm Lievense in its storage capacity report of February 2nd 2009 and stands at 110.000 square meters surface area.

3. Page 2, Section 1.2 of the letter at paragraph 3 states that "Although efforts have
been made to tender and realize a combined facility with the French side of the
Island this could not be accomplished."

Please provide the Island Council with the evidence of the "efforts" to cooperate
with the French side.

Mr. Chairman, if no evidence can be shown that real efforts were made, in my
opinion this represents a complete disregard for the proper use of government
funds. If the government had the opportunity to work with the French side, the
cost of the project could have been drastically minimized in favor of the people of
St. Maarten.

3. Government has done all it could do to include the waste processing of the French side. Without the necessary cooperation from the relevant French services this could not materialize. To eventually make it possible to process waste from the French side the environmental requirements for the plant have been increased by making the EU requirements applicable in the tender documents. The following excerpt from Enviro News Magazine's November 2007 interview with the Vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainable Development of French St. Martin Mr. Pierre Aliotti, may serve as further information: "On the issue of cooperation with Dutch St. Martin, Aliotti has already met with new Environment Affairs Commissioner on Dutch St. Maarten Theo Heyliger last September on several issues including continuing exploratory talks to implement a joint waste disposal system. The two sides of the island have been working on such a system for quite some time already but nothing has materialized to date. Aliotti admitted that French St. Martin is probably not "in the same time frame" regarding implementing a joint system with Dutch St. Maarten. He argued that while both sides need to tackle the issue head on, French St. Martin has already made significant strides in this area in keeping with mandatory requirements from France. "A few years ago St. Martin's garbage system had been in a terrible state and the prefecture had summoned us to deal with the situation. We had to deal with it so there have been some major improvements in what used to be a complete shame on St. martin. " he said referring to the state of garbage disposal in the past. "So right now there is no immediate emergency for us because part of the problem has been taken care of already."
Furthermore the following activities has taken place in cooperation with the French side:
• A presentation to Mr. Roy Marlin, Commissioner in charge of Public Works, and his staff on February 15th, 2006;
• An official visit to West Indies Environnement Développement Recyclage SAS (WIDER) plant ECODEC in Guadeloupe of Mr. Ludwig Ouenniche of the Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. Jadira
Veen, President of Sint Maarten Pride Foundation, on October 4th, 2006;
• A presentation to several representatives from the Public and Private Sectors and the Environmental Organizations from both French and Dutch sides, on November 8th, 2006. In that meeting were present, Mr. Storeteller and Mr. Mooij.
• Visit to plants in France and Spain, September 10-12, 2007
• two meetings with Commissioner Theodore Heyliger and Dr. Max Ogoundélé-Tessi, head of Technical Services of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin with WIDER
.

4. Page 2, Section 1.2 of the letter at paragraph 4 states that "A five member
Advisory Committee was installed by the Executive Council in May."
Please advise the Island Council as to May of which year as it is not stated in the
letter.

Also, please advise the Island Council as to who the five member Advisory
Committee was made up of, as well as their backgrounds as it relates to solid
waste disposal and alternative energy generation.

4. In May of 2008 a committee consisting of 5 members was appointed by the executive council. The members are as follows:
• Mr. Sipke the Haan (advisor to the sector ROB with a broad experience in big projects including the rebuilding of St. Maarten after Hurricane Luis, former Interne Deskundige)
• Mr. Hiro Shigimoto, director of resources
• Ir. Gisbert Boekhoudt, director of the Ministry of Health and Environment of Aruba and environmental engineer
• ing. Joseph Dollison, sector director ROB (sits on the board of GEBE and is aware of the energy production method of GEBE)
• ing. Claudius Buncamper, department head of New Works and Infrastructural management. (Is presently in charge of the garbage processing and is a graduate of the mechanical engineering department of the university of the Netherlands Antilles with alternative energy as his mayor.

5. Page 2, Section 1.2 of the letter at paragraph 6 states that the two French
companies declared in writing to be unable to submit a proposal.
Please provide the Island Council with evidence of these written declarations as
well as the reasons why these two French companies decided not to submit
proposals.

5. The companies Veolia Proprete and Verde Sofunag each sent letters on October 16th and October 2nd 2008 informing us they would no longer participate in the tender.

6. Page 3, Paragraph I of the letter states that "The Advisory Committee reported
their findings to the Executive Council in an Evaluation Report of the received
proposals in December 2008. The Advisory Committee evaluated the (in total 4)
received proposals based on the criteria as stipulated in the RFP and unanimously
scored the proposal of the local company that included the waste to energy option
as the most favorable solution."

Please explain to the Island Council on what basis a unanimous decision was
made to select the local company.

Please explain to the Island Council why the Advisory Committee would still
bother to consider all four proposals in December 2008 if two of them (the French
companies) advised in writing prior to 23rd October, 2008 that they would be
unable to submit proposals.

I cannot fathom why the Advisory Committee would waste the time and resources
of the people of St. Maarten to evaluate two proposals from French companies if
these companies declared in writing that they would be unable to submit a
proposal.

Actually, Paragraph I of page 3 states that the Advisory Committee evaluated the
proposals of the French companies. Then exactly what did the Advisory
Committee evaluate since according to the letter, these two French companies
declared in writing that they were unable to submit proposals? Something is
clearly wrong here.

6. The unanimous decision was reached by the committee based on the scoring manner that was decided upon by the committee. The scoring mechanism with a maximum of 750 scoring points was based on the following criteria as included in annex C.1 of the tender documents (Request For Proposal) and in the advice of the committee:
• Various streams of garbage that can be processed
• Completeness of the offer
• Layout of the plan
• Description of the process
• Flexibility of the whole system
• Assistance with the start up process
• After sales of products
• Total price tag

a. The four (4) proposals that were mentioned in the letter did not include the proposals of the 2 French companies nor did the letter state so, but was build up of 3 proposals of Windward Roads B.V. and one (1) of the other company that remained. (Interstate Waste Technology)

7. Page 3, Section 1.3 paragraph 3 states that". . . it could be anticipated that most of
the proposals would consist of a combination of different processes including a
thermal processing component."

Please advise the Island Council which proposals received would consist of a
thermal processing unit. Did the American company's proposal include a thermal
processing unit?

Also, will any pollution or smoke will be created by these thermal processing
units?

7. a. The American company proposed to use the "thermoselect" method and the waste to energy method."
b. The plants will have emissions but it will not have any negative effect on the environment or it's surroundings. In the tender docs the requirement was included that the plant should live up to the EU standards. The Environmental Health Impact Assessment of October 2009 confirms that the emissions of the proposed plant will stay within the EU-standards. The Scottish Environment protection Agency has qualified the BOS plant in Dargavel Scotland as compliant with Best Available Techniques (BAT), according to the European Directive of Integrated Prevention and Pollution Control (IPPC). BAT is considered for both environmental issues and economical feasibility. KEMA will verify also if the BOS installation will meet the environmental EU-standards. The present landfill produces air emissions which are not in accordance with environmental requirements. Let alone the air emissions which are released during fires at the landfill. The present landfill is an eyesore and environmentally unacceptable (reference is made to court case against government with regard to the smoke and smell of the landfill). Compared to the air emissions from the present landfilling activities the new processing facility will be a great environmental improvement.

8. Page 3, Section 1.3 paragraph 5 states that "The present processing of solid waste via a sanitary landfill is clearly the cheapest solution."
Please advise the Island Council as to what other solutions were considered and
evaluated

8. The departure point of the tender was that all or as much garbage will be either recycled and/or treated. Also the sale of electricity was an option to drop the cost and make the sustainability of the plant possible. In this view we reviewed the proposals received and none of them had the simple method of coverage as an option. All proposals had a thermal aspect to the processing of garbage.

9. Page 3 paragraph 8 continuing onto page 4 paragraph I states that "Cost reduction
via re-use of residues and alternative energy production is therefore not only most
welcome but most probably a must.. ."

Mr. Chairman, it is very difficult to approve a project of this size with such drastic
ramifications on a "most probably" basis. We need absolute certainty.
Therefore, please advise if it is certain that this project is the best option.

9. Because of the importance of this project for the community of St. Maarten it is proposed to commission KEMA with an independent cost quality engineering analysis of the project. Not only government considers it important to look for a second opinion. Also the financing institution has commissioned a similar analysis of the project. This study will be carried out by the American consultancy firm R.W. Beck. Besides the Environmental Impact Assessment two independent analysis of the project will be executed. The Island Council is not requested to approve the project, only to ratify the pursued process until present. When the KEMA study is finalized the project dossier will be presented for approval by the Island Council.

10. Page 4, paragraph 2 states that "The RFP (request for proposal) documents
require the facility to be in accordance with EU standards with regard to air, water
and soil pollution."

Please provide details on these EU Standards.
How is the government planning to monitor these EU standards going forward?
Has a company already been formed to independently evaluate these EU
Standards going forward?

10. * For the EU standards is referred to the attached Directive 2000/76EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 december 2000
• The government can monitor the EU standards that will be measurable.
• At present that hasn't been finalized yet but we're looking at an independent monitoring authority or monitoring committee to be installed by government. This monitoring authority or committee will be supported by the necessary expertise with regard to monitoring EU standards.

11. Page 5, paragraph 4 under Section II states that "WWR had submitted an
alternative proposal for the SWMPF to be located on a land reclamation in the
eastern section of the Cole bay. However it has become clear that WWR had not
included the necessary financing for the realization ofthis alternative location."
Please explain to the Island Council how the financing would be different if the
project was built in Cole Bay.

11. Building the project in Cole Bay means an extra investment of at least $ 20 million for the realization of the needed land via land reclamation and/or land purchase and excavation, as explained in the letter and VROM's elucidation.

12.Page paragraph 5 under Section II states that VROM is considering the
feasibility of two facilities on two locations, one on Pond Island for the mining of
the landfill and one in Cole Bay for the processing of regular waste.
Please explain and provide details as to how the financial model of this project is
impacted by having two separate facilities on two separate locations.

12. For now the waste facility is located at Pond island as included in the tender documents. The time and financial consequences of the two separate facilities will be evaluated and presented to the Island Council when the project dossier of the project is presented for approval. It can be expected that the realization of two facilities on two locations shall cause the investment and operational costs and consequently the annual cost (service fee) to increase to an unrealistic level.

13. Page 6, paragraph 2 under the Section "Selection of law firm" states that "HBN
Law has a proven record of relevant experience in this field and were a.o.
involved in the recent implementation of the fee structure for the harbor of St.
Maarten."

Please provide the Island Council with evidence ofHBN Law's relevant
experience and also clarify how their work on the fee structure of the harbor of St.
Maarten is relevant to this waste management project.

13. HBN Law has presented a list of recent legislative work and financing projects that HBN Law has conducted (see attachment). Furthermore, HBN Law has a cooperation agreement with the Dutch "Landsadvocaat" Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn in The Netherlands, which acts as legal counsel to the State of The Netherlands and is as such involved in all major governmental projects in The Netherlands. This cooperation allows HBN Law to draw on the knowledge and experience of the attorneys of Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn. The legislation that was drafted for the present waste management project was a joint work product between HBN Law and Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn (in particular mr A.B. van Rijn).

14. Page 6, paragraph 2 under the Section "Selection oflaw firm" states that
"Because ofHBN Law's relevant expertise and experience in he field, HBN Law
can offer the services relatively cheap."

First of all, in my opinion, terminology such as "relatively cheap" is not
appropriate for a document of this nature.

Also, please explain the rationale behind HBN Law being able to provide services
on a less expensive basis solely because they are experienced in the area, as
specialist typically command a higher fee.

Also, which other law firms have provided a legal fee quote that was compared to
the quote from HBN Law?

14. The fee charged by HBN Law, which includes the fee payable to Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn, was calculated on the basis of the expected time to be dedicated to the agreed scope of work multiplied with the applicable hourly fee. Since these law firms are experienced in the work performed, they have been able to deliver within a tight budget and thus a tight fixed fee. Any firm that would have lacked the needed experience would probably not have been able to deliver within the time frames needed, not with the quality of work that was delivered, or would have spend (and charged) a multiple of what was charged for legal services. As such having experienced lawyers work on this project did not result in more expenses. No other legal fee quotes were requested nor received.

15. Page 6, paragraph 2 under the Section "Selection of law firm" states that "HBN
Law presented a unique solution for the problem of the collectability of the solid
waste fees."

Please advise the Island Council as to the details of this "unique solution" and
explain if it will increase the current electrical and water bills for the people of St.
Maarten.

Also, please advise the Island Council if any other law firms were given the
opportunity to submit a proposal on a solution for the collectivity of the solid
waste fees and if so provide evidence of this.

15. The solution comprises of a legal connection between the collectability of the fee to be paid for waste processing and the electricity bill to secure the payment of the waste fees. This means that if the consumer does not pay the fee for waste processing while paying the electricity bill, GEBE has the right to disconnect the electricity to the consumer. Based on this solution HBN Law was invited to submit a proposal for the legal services. No other law firms were invited to submit a proposal. Certain other law firms are already engaged by parties involved in the project.

16. Page 6, paragraph 5 under Section IV states that "KPMG Corporate Finance was
requested to submit a proposal for these services in November, 2008."

Please advise the Island Council if any other auditors or advisory firms were
requested to submit proposals and if so which ones.

16. No other corporate finance firms were requested to give a quote.

17. Page 7, Paragraph 2 states that KPMG Corporate Finance "were a.o. involved in
the recent implementation of the structuring and financing of large infrastructure
concessions like the Airport in Curacao and the Cruise Port Facilities in St.
Maarten."

Please advise the Island Council as to how involvement in these projects provides
experience in the area of solid waste management.

17. This statement is about structuring of large infrastructure concessions. This relates to the knowledge and expertise of managing large and complicated projects with complicated contracts like concession agreements, direct agreements, shareholders agreement. The project for airport of Curacao and the Port of St. Maarten have similar complicated structures and are therefore used as references of KPMG's expertise.

18. Page 7, Paragraph 1 under the Section "Selection of Corporate finance advisory
firm" it states that "For the first half of 2008 KPMG Corporate Finance was the
leading PPP financial advisor internationally, having closed 17 transactions with a
capital value of EURO 10.8 billion."

Please advise if KPMG has been given the mandate to raise capital for this
project?

18. No, KPMG has not been given mandate to raise capital for this project as the project is a Design Built Finance Maintain Operate contract which means that the contractor has to provide the finance (capital). KPMG proposed to support the Island of St. Maarten with the review of the contracts (including the finance component) as KPMG have vast experience with these kind of contracts and therefore are able to recognize the (financial) risks of the contractor's proposal and in discussing with the work/steering group, advise the Government of St. Maarten how to mitigate those risks.

19. Page 7, Paragraph 1 under the Section "Selection of Corporate finance advisory
firm" states that "They (KPMG) have experience with large and complex waste
projects."

Please provide the Island Council with evidence of this experience in large and
complex waste projects.

19. KPMG submitted a list of references with regard to experience in the field of waste projects (see attachment).

20. Please provide the Island Council with complete details of the proposed land
ownership in the area where the solid waste management facility will be located.

20. The land is owned by the island government of St. Maarten.

21. In the "Elucidation" document prepared by VROM mention is made that the
project should not impact the health of the people of St. Maarten as it meets the
requirements of the EU norms.
In that regard, please provide the Island Council with the details of this study
relating specifically to the health risks to the population of St. Maarten.

21. In the tender documents requirements it was stated that the installation should meet the European norms. To have this confirmed an Environmental Health Impact Assessment was carried out by Ecovision, Royal Haskoning and WtTZ. The Environmental Health Impact Assessment of October 2009, which will be presented to the Island Council in the second half of May, confirms that the emissions of the proposed plant will stay within the EU-standards. The Scottish Environment protection Agency has qualified the BOS plant in Dargavel Scotland as compliant with Best Available Techniques (BAT), according to the European Directive of Integrated Prevention and Pollution Control (IPPC). BAT is considered for both environmental issues and economical feasibility. KEMA will verify also if the BOS installation will meet the environmental EU-standards. Also a second independent consultancy firm will review if the installation is in accordance with the EU standards. The present landfill produces air emissions which are not in accordance with environmental requirements. Let alone the air emissions which are released during fires at the landfill. The present landfill is an eyesore and environmentally unacceptable (reference is made to court case against government with regard to the smoke and smell of the landfill). Compared to the air emissions from the present landfilling activities the new processing facility will be a great environmental improvement.

22. Please provide the Island Council with a detailed analysis of the total debt as well
as the latest audited and/or unaudited financial statements of all government
owned companies (Harbor Group of Companies, P JIA Group of Companies,
Telem, Telcel, Smitcoms, Telnet, GEBE etc.) including this proposed solid waste
management facility.

22. The total debt of the solid waste management facility will be established when the final project dossier is presented for approval to the Island Council.

23. Please provide us with the latest figures ofSt. Maarten's Gross Domestic Product
and ratio of debt to gross domestic product.

24. What role if any will the current local garbage collection companies play in the
pro sed waste disposal facility?

24. At present the sector ROB is busy finalizing an advice to the executive council which will handle the garbage collection process on the island. The collection process will also be very instrumental in pre sorting certain streams of garbage. Also all residents, businesses and other entities will be part of the collection program. In the garbage processing itself the present haulers will have no say.

Island Council Meeting April 26th 2010

Answers to Questions in writing IC members

Answers to questions of M. Buncamper Molanus

In paragraph 1.2 of your letter ref 2155/10 dated April 14, 2010 it states that on page 3 3rd paragraph: "In May 2009 the negotiations started with the Windward Roads N.V. (WWR) to negotiate a Design Built Finance Maintain and operate (DBFMO) contract for the SWMPF. In view of the requirements of art. 17 "Eilandsverordening Financieel Beheer", the island council is hereby requested to ratify the procedure that has been followed".
1. Was the present tender procedure used for the public tender of February 2008 not correct and if so please explain what transpired leading to the present course of action whereby the Island Council is requested to ratify the decision of the Executive Council?
A: In the opinion of the steering committee appointed by the executive council to handle the public tender and in the opinion of the department of legal affairs of the island territory the tender procedure was in accordance with the island ordinance financial management. The department of legal affairs concluded that: Quote: "Alhoewel er geen procedure heeft plaatsgevonden zoals gebruikelijk bij het eilandgebied wordt verstaan onder een openbare aanbesteding, kan naar huidige maatstaven en praktijk in Nederland en internationaal, worden geconcludeerd dat er geen ongebruikelijke invulling is gegeven aan het begrip openbare aanbesteding als bedoeld in artikel 17 van de Eilandsverordening financieel beheer.
Of en in hoeverre er additionele stappen wenselijk waren geweest valt buiten de reikwijdte van het verzoek om advies van uw college." Unquote.

2. Who approved the initial public tender procedure that has been followed thus far? Please indicate which legal bases was used? A: The executive council, with the approval of the cabinet of the lt. governor, approved the different steps of the tender procedure on February 2nd 2008, June 3rd 2008, December 17th 2008 and on May 5th 2009. .
3. Did the department of judicial affairs provide a legal opinion on the tender procedure followed back in February 2008, if this is the case please provide the Island Council with this legal opinion. A: Yes the legal department provided the executive council with an opinion on the matter.The following text is an excerpt from the advice of legal affairs with regard to the tender procedure: Quote: "Openbare aanbesteding?
In de huidige praktijk wordt artikel 17 anders toegepast dan door het Kabinet van de Gezaghebber is voorgesteld. Het bestuurscollege bereidt een onderhandse aanbesteding voor en legt vervolgens het resultaat van deze aanbesteding aan de eilandsraad voor goedkeuring voor. Dit betekent dat de gunning wordt voorbereid onder voorbehoud van goedkeuring van de eilandsraad. De memorie van toelichting bij de Eilandsverordening financieel beheer biedt geen toelichting voor artikel 17.
De Comptabiliteitslandsverordening bevat geen vergelijkbare bepaling voor het Land de Nederlandse Antillen. Op basis van artikel 27 kan de minister van financiën besluiten dat het in het belang is van het Land om af te wijken van de regel van de openbare aanbesteding.
Navraag bij de afdeling Juridische Zaken van het eilandgebied Curaçao heeft uitgewezen dat daar wél eerst instemming voor een onderhandse aanbesteding wordt verzocht, alvorens met de selectieprocedure te starten. Of deze werkwijze in de praktijk ook consequent wordt toegepast is niet nader onderzocht in verband met de tijdsdruk.

Door de sector ROB is aangegeven dat de vragen gesteld door het Kabinet van de Gezaghebber niet relevant zijn, aangezien er wél een openbare aanbesteding heeft plaatsgevonden en wel een openbare aanbesteding met voorselectie. Zoals hierboven is aangegeven bevat de Eilandsverordening financieel beheer weinig aanknopingspunten voor de invulling van aanbestedingsprocedures. De huidige regeling voorziet niet in de aanbesteding van complexe projecten. Inmiddels wordt internationaal en ook in Nederland met verschillende vormen van aanbesteding gewerkt, waarbij de verschillende elementen van een project (w.o. ontwerp, bouw, onderhoud, financiering) in verschillende combinaties in pakketten worden uitbesteed. Daarbij is ook de voorselectie van mogelijke aannemers niet ongebruikelijk.

(Uit Worldbank Guidelines Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA credits, 2004:
"Prequalification of Bidders
Prequalification is usually necessary for large or complex works, or in any other circumstances in which the high costs of preparing detailed bids could discourage competition, such as custom-designed equipment, industrial plant, specialized services, some complex information and technology and contracts to be let under turnkey, design and build, or management contracting. This also ensures that invitations to bid are extended only to those who have adequate capabilities and resources. Prequalification shall be based entirely upon the capability and resources of prospective bidders to perform the particular contract satisfactorily, taking into account their (a) experience and past performance on similar contracts, (b) capabilities with respect to personnel, equipment, and construction or manufacturing facilities, and (c) financial position."
In het Besluit aanbestedingsregels voor overheidsopdrachten dat geldt voor Nederland wordt onderscheid gemaakt tussen diverse vormen van aanbesteding, waarbij de complexiteit van de opdracht doorslaggevend is voor de vorm die kan worden gekozen voor de aanbesteding.

Concluderend: Alhoewel er geen procedure heeft plaatsgevonden zoals gebruikelijk bij het eilandgebied wordt verstaan onder een openbare aanbesteding, kan naar huidige maatstaven en praktijk in Nederland en internationaal, worden geconcludeerd dat er geen ongebruikelijke invulling is gegeven aan het begrip openbare aanbesteding als bedoeld in artikel 17 van de Eilandsverordening financieel beheer.
Of en in hoeverre er additionele stappen wenselijk waren geweest valt buiten de reikwijdte van het verzoek om advies van uw college." Unquote

4. Please inform the Island Council who (and their expertise) sit in the advisory committee that reported their findings to the executive council in the evaluation report of the public tender? A: Sipke de Haan, Hiro Shigemoto, Gisbert Boekhoudt, Joseph Dollison and Claudius Buncamper (see also answer #4 to Mr. Petrus de Weever)
5. Which companies participated in what is referred to by government as the expression of interest that was published in the local papers?
A: The following ten (10) companies participated in the Expression of Interest
1. Windward Roads N.V.
2. Interstate Waste Technology
3. Verde Sofunag Environnement & Suez Environment
4. Ashtrom International Ltd
5. Liccom & Visser & Smit & Hanab & Jupiter Holding
6. FS Investment BV
7. Green Conservation Systems LLC
8. Ecoserve Holding 7 Faber Recycling
9. Global Green International
10. Veolia Proprete
6. Which four (4) qualified companies based on the selection criteria were to be invited by government, to request for a proposal in a tender procedure for the solid waste facility?
A: The following four (4) companies qualified to be invited for the public tender by the government:
1. Windward Roads N.V.
2. Interstate Waste Technology
3. Verde Sofunag Environnement & Suez Environment
4. Veolia Proprete
7. Why didn't a combined venture with the French side materialize to process garbage? A: Government has done all it could do to include the waste processing of the French side. Without the necessary cooperation from the relevant French services this could not materialize. To eventually make it possible to process waste from the French side the environmental requirements for the plant have been increased by making the EU requirements applicable in the tender documents. The following excerpt from Enviro News Magazine's November 2007 interview with the Vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainable Development of French St. Martin Mr. Pierre Aliotti, may serve as further information: "On the issue of cooperation with Dutch St. Martin, Aliotti has already met with new Environment Affairs Commissioner on Dutch St. Maarten Theo Heyliger last September on several issues including continuing exploratory talks to implement a joint waste disposal system. The two sides of the island have been working on such a system for quite some time already but nothing has materialized to date. Aliotti admitted that French St. Martin is probably not "in the same time frame" regarding implementing a joint system with Dutch St. Maarten. He argued that while both sides need to tackle the issue head on, French St. Martin has already made significant strides in this area in keeping with mandatory requirements from France. "A few years ago St. Martin's garbage system had been in a terrible state and the prefecture had summoned us to deal with the situation. We had to deal with it so there have been some major improvements in what used to be a complete shame on St. martin. " he said referring to the state of garbage disposal in the past. "So right now there is no immediate emergency for us because part of the problem has been taken care of already."
Furthermore the following activities has taken place in cooperation with the French side:
• A presentation to Mr. Roy Marlin, Commissioner in charge of Public Works, and his staff on February 15th, 2006;
• An official visit to West Indies Environnement Développement Recyclage SAS (WIDER) plant ECODEC in Guadeloupe of Mr. Ludwig Ouenniche of the Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. Jadira
Veen, President of Sint Maarten Pride Foundation, on October 4th, 2006;
• A presentation to several representatives from the Public and Private Sectors and the Environmental Organizations from both French and Dutch sides, on November 8th, 2006. In that meeting were present, Mr. Storeteller and Mr. Mooij.
• Visit to plants in France and Spain, September 10-12, 2007
• two meetings with Commissioner Theodore Heyliger and Dr. Max Ogoundélé-Tessi, head of Technical Services of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin with WIDER

In paragraph 1.3 we read that the project has various objectives:
1. Waste reduction to 95%;
2. Cost reduction;
3. Environmentally good;
4. Consequences of energy from waste for Gebe's power production;

8. Is the waste reduction really going to be 95% of the total garbage produced on this island, because in paragraph 1.4 in the description of the operation of the SWMPF that doesn't seem to be the case, considering that there will be no sorting of any garbage that doesn't go through the C&D (construction and demolition) plant? A: Contractually the waste reduction degree shall be more than 95% (to be reached within 3 years). The Batch Oxidation System (BOS) itself does not require any presorting (of the household and commercial waste). Even more: that is exactly why the technology is suitable for small territories like Sint Maarten. It destroys all burnable material by an average of 96%.
The Solid Waste Management & Processing Facility does not only treat household and commercial waste in the BOS, it also processes a considerable amount of Construction and Demolition waste (C&D waste). Another very important part of the Facility is a C&D Recycling/Sorting Plant. This C&D recycling plant:
1. separates the combustible materials from to C&D: this materials are subsequently gasified in the BOS plant
2. separates the recyclables from the C&D waste: this recyclables such as aluminum and ferro's will be exported to the recycling market
3. separates the aggregates (stones, sand) from the C&D waste in order to re-use them locally as foundation material
4. separates the aggregates, ferro's and non-ferro's from the BOS ashes
9. Is there any recycling taking place and if so where will this take place in this plant? A: Yes, at several locations:
• C&D plant where ferro's, non-ferro's, aggregates, sand is separated and subsequently recycled
• Car dismantling location to recycle car parts (combustible parts go to cBOS, non combustible parts are being exported to the recycling market)
• Bulky Domenstic Waste segregation Area (computers, washing machines, fridges etc..): combustible parts go to BOS, non combustible parts are being exported to the recycling market
10. How many persons will work in the processing facility? Will it provide considerable employment and if so on which levels. A: The project will provide considerable employment. Total number of persons working will be app. 55 full time equivalent (fte):
• Management 4 fte
• Administrative 4 fte
• Supervisor level 8 fte
• Mechanic level 5 fte
• Equipment operator 10 fte
• Unskilled labor level 24 fte
11. The cost reduction will be found in which area for the consumer as presently we aren't paying for garbage collection and I would believe that we must pay in the future for garbage collection and processing? A: Seeing that there will be an income generating measure from the sale of electricity one can conclude that the reduction will come in that area. Also a significant part of the garbage processing cost will be carried by the business community making the overall cost for the consumer quite moderate seeing that besides the garbage collection also district improvements and cleaning will take place. In the areas of the public greenery and beaches also significant cleaning will be done for the same fee.
12. How much will this garbage processing facility cost the public of St. Maarten per year? A: The income sources to pay for the waste processing are: 1) the income from the energy produced from waste to be sold to and paid by GEBE, 2) the variable concession allowance based on electricity consumption GEBE has to pay to government and GEBE can pass on to the consumers. The income sources 1 and 2 are included in the new ordinance and concession for electricity. The precise numbers will be presented in the final project dossier.
13. How much will the facility cost to build and who's financing that? A: At this time the total investment costs will be +/- $ 115 million. KEMA will verify these investment costs. Financing will be by Windward Roads through bank financing.
14. Have any conclusive studies been done by a reputable company that ensures that there are no environmental flaws with this facility or that would at least give us a credible impression of the environmental impact? A: In the tender documents requirements it was stated that the installation should meet the European norms. To have this confirmed an Environmental Health Impact Assessment was carried out by Ecovision, Royal Haskoning and WtTZ. The Environmental Health Impact Assessment of October 2009, which will be presented to the Island Council in the second half of May, confirms that the emissions of the proposed plant will stay within the EU-standards. The Scottish Environment protection Agency has qualified the BOS plant in Dargavel Scotland as compliant with Best Available Techniques (BAT), according to the European Directive of Integrated Prevention and Pollution Control (IPPC). BAT is considered for both environmental issues and economical feasibility. KEMA will verify also if the BOS installation will meet the environmental EU-standards. Also a second independent consultancy firm will review if the installation is in accordance with the EU standards. The present landfill produces air emissions which are not in accordance with environmental requirements. Let alone the air emissions which are released during fires at the landfill. The present landfill is an eyesore and environmentally unacceptable (reference is made to court case against government with regard to the smoke and smell of the landfill). Compared to the air emissions from the present landfilling activities the new processing facility will be a great environmental improvement.

15. Have the local environmentalist like Rueben Thompson and his colleagues been able to give their input in this document from an ecological point of view? A: The various environmental groups have been heard by the independent authors of the report.
16. What does it mean for GEBE's personnel in the power production plant when I read that about 8 megawatts will be produced by the garbage processing facility? Will there be job cuts down there as they need about 12% less electricity to be produced? A: There shouldn't be any job cuts at present when the 7.5 megawatts are produced by the garbage processing company and sold to GEBE. The additional power capacity from the waste facility increases the present capacity of GEBE and is a welcome addition considering the steady growth of the demand for electricity
17. Will the purchase of Green energy by GEBE lead to at least a 12% reduction on the bills of the consumers when it comes to the fuel clause? A: This will be determined when the final project dossier is finalized. For this dossier the KEMA study must be finalized.
18. Will government still have to subsidize the new garbage processing facility in any form or fashion once it's operational? If yes why and for how much? A: Government will use the variable concession allowance from GEBE to pay for the remaining cost of the waste processing.
19. The reduction of the green house gases by 70.000 ton CO2 per year means anything with respect to savings for the consumer or is that an environmental savings? A: this should be seen as an environmental savings as we don't pollute the air. Also an amount of monies can be made by the selling of these carbon credits to other countries like the Netherlands that surpassed their amount of carbon credits they may legally produce.
In paragraph 1.4 the most favorable proposal is given for the SWMPF
20. What financial consequences does changing the amount of BOS (Batch Oxidation System) - trains and adding of shredders have towards the gross and net service fee and in particular for the end consumer? A: Reducing the number of BOS trains and adding shredders will result in improved caloric value and waste density for the batches to be burned in the BOS installation which will lead to a better production of energy. More energy means more income from electricity and a lower net service fee.
In paragraph 1.5 government states that as soon as KEMA has submitted the report, the draft DBFMO contract can be finalized and the entire project can be presented for approval to the executive and island councils.
21. What exactly is the scope of works of KEMA for the island government with reference to the SWMPF (Solid Waste Management and Processing Facility)? A: the scope of works is worked out in chapter #6 of the attached Terms of Reference (TOR).
22. Was there a public tender for the services of KEMA? If yes please provide these documents? A: NO.
23. If there was no public tender for the KEMA services why isn't it part of this request for approval from the island council as is the requested for HBN and KPMG? A: See letter to the Island Council of January 26th 2010 and separate letter with regard to the answers to posed questions by the Central Committee pertaining to KEMA.
24. Who will evaluate the work of KEMA to ensure that they are the appropriate experts for this project? A: KEMA will form a team of appropriate experts as required in the TOR and elucidated in KEMA's proposal. KEMA will submit an independent "second opinion" with regard to the chosen system. KEMA is a worldwide renowned consultancy firm which has all the required know-how with regard to waste gasification, waste processing, waste to energy production, electricity production as well as the relevant legal and environmental issues and local knowledge. KEMA is a global, leading authority in energy consulting and testing & certification, active throughout the entire energy value-chain. In a world of increasing demand for energy, KEMA plays a major role in ensuring the availability, reliability, sustainability and profitability of energy and related products and processes. KEMA, having more than 1,900 employees, operates from 50 offices in 20 countries around the globe and exists for more than 80 years. For more extensive elucidation on the expertise of KEMA is referred to the letter to the island Council dated January 26th 2010.
25. When will KEMA start their work and how long will it take? A: As soon as possible after the Island Council has approved the private tender with KEMA, KEMA will be commissioned to execute the works. KEMA will need 2-3 months to finalize the report. See also separate letter with regard to the answers to posed questions pertaining to KEMA.
26. Why has it taken 5 months for a selection to be made of KEMA as the Terms of reference for services of an independent cost quality controlling engineer for the SWMPF in St. Maarten was done on November 10, 2009? A: The delay is caused by a disagreement between the civil service (the advisory committee, legal affairs) and the cabinet of the lt. governor with regard to the public character of the since February 2008 pursued tender procedure in relation to article 17 of the island ordinance "Financieel beheer".

In chapter II the location of the SWMPF is briefly described.
27. The advice of VROM states to investigate 2 locations to carry out garbage processing. One on Pond Island for the purpose of landfill mining and one in Colebay for the processing of regular waste. Is this advice going to be followed? A: When the projectdossier is presented for approval to the Island Council the evaluation of the location alternatives will be included . For now the project is based on the location on Pond Island as included in the tender documents.
28. What are the cost involved towards the consumer and government to have 2 locations operational at the same time for garbage processing and garbage mining? A: When the projectdossier is presented for approval to the Island Council the evaluation of the location alternatives will be included .
29. Where in Colebay is it the intention to have this garbage processing facility considering that not much land is available to handle such a facility and in the elucidation of VROM it only mentions the Bell's land, filling the sea behind GEBE or the relocation of buildings on GEBE's land? A: the intention was to check out the possibility to have land reclamation done in the Cole bay bay in front of the GEBE and Shell property. The Cole Bay area with its present large companies is a more appropriate location for a concentration of large scale industries. In many governmental studies and plans the present industrial area along the coast of the Cole Bay has been indicated as the most favourable location for further extension of larger scale commercial development. Considering the limited space at this location ideas have been worked out in the past to expand the area with a land reclamation in the eastern part of the bay. In 2007 a Preparatory resolution has been taken for the development of St. Maarten West based on the Development Perspective St. Maarten West by Island Design (Lanjouw). Included in this Perspective was the zoning of the eastern part of the Cole bay for larger industrial activities. It is therefore an obvious location choice for a waste plant. However land must be created through a land reclamation and/or purchase and excavation of land. The realization of such will take time and extra money. The time and financial consequences of an eventual combination of both locations (Cole Bay and Pond island) will be worked out and presented to the Executive and Island Council, when the project dossier is finalized. The critical stage of the present landfill with a further rising summit and environmentally unacceptable method of waste processing will hereby be considered.
In Chapter III the private tender with HBN Law for legal services is described.
30. Has the drafting of the model agreement for the sale of electricity already been signed by GEBE? If not why not? A: The PPA (power purchase agreement) has been prepared by HBN but isn't finalized for signature as yet. The PPA can only be signed after the Island Council has approved the project dossier.
31. In the proposal of HBN Law the fee of Naf 226.500,- is tied to various conditions. One of them is that no services shall be provided in the period after June 30, 2008. What exactly does this mean as the proposal only came in on November 18, 2008 to the government? A: HBN Law has accepted the time extension without consequences. It is customary to limit the contract period in a proposal.
32. Has HBN Law done any work for government already based on this strangely dated proposal and if so what exactly and at what cost? A: Yes HBN has started his work and worked out documents as described in their proposal such as ordinance, concession as well as various agreements like the power purchase agreements with GEBE and assisted in the legal framework and text of the DFMBO contract.
33. Has any payments been made to HBN Law for any of the services provided in connection with the proposal at hand that now approval is being requested for here in the Island Council? If yes is this in keeping with good financial governance as stipulated by the law? A: Invoices have been submitted by HBN Law for the works carried out, based on the contract awarded to HBN Law in January 2009. Payment of part of the contract sum has taken place in November 2009 in accordance with the contract and works executed..
34. What is the total HBN Law contract going to cost the island Government? A: The total contract price is fixed at Naf 252,000,- including all costs.
35. Has GEBE agreed to an amendment to their general terms and conditions as is needed for the legal frame work so that HBN Law can make the proposed amendments? A: Yes. GEBE will amend the general terms and conditions in accordance with the new to be established ordinance for electricity.

In Chapter IV the private tender with KPMG Corporate Finance is described.
37. One of the services rendered to government will be to provide support with the evaluation of the proposal selected by the advisory committee. Was that done and what was the outcome of their evaluation? A: KPMG verified and advised on the proposal received from Windward Roads and assisted in working out the clarification questions.
38. Why did it take the government 17 months to bring the proposal of KPMG to the island council floor for approval knowing that they were the company of choice based on their past experience in the harbor? A: The private tenders with KPMG and HBN Law took place in the 4th quarter of 2008. By the end of 2008 the new rules with regard to good governance were introduced. The private tender procedures with HBN Law and KPMG were based on the working procedures customary in the past. According to the good governance rules, stringent adherence to the valid ordinances such as the ordinance "Financieel beheer" (even when outdated) must take place. The approval of the private tenders with HBN Law and KPMG took place in the transitional period between old and new rules. Legal affairs has advised in his recent advice to the Executive Council of April 2010 with regard to the tender procedure of the solid waste project, to have both private tenders with HBN Law and KPMG presented for ratification by the Island Council to still bring these tenders in accordance with the new rules for good governance as introduced at the end of 2008.

In general I would like to know the following
39. What is the role of the cabinet of the Lt Governor in this whole process? A: the role of the (cabinet of the) Lt. Governor's is to oversee the process and to assess if the rules of good governance are being adhered to.
40. Has the Lt. Governor's cabinet provided an opinion on matters related to the tender and if so what was it? A: Yes. For the content of this opinion please refer to the attached memo oktober 22nd 2009.
41. Does the Cabinet of the Lt. Governor have in house technical and environmental expertise with respect to Waste Management? If yes we might be more cost efficient if we used these expertise. A: The cabinet of the Lt. Governor has no technical expertise with respect to waste management.
42. Are there any other opinions from entities mentioned or not mentioned that might be relevant for this debate? If yes please provide these to the Island Council. A: No.

Philipsburg:--- The mother and girlfriend of the man that was found dead on Monday in Mullet Bay arrived on St. Maarten and positively identified her son and boyfriend as Glenville Emanuel Freeman, born on the British Virgin Islands on June 8th 1976.

Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said they received tremendous assistance and information from the general public which led to the identification of the victim.
Henson said while they are expressing gratitude to the general public for their assistance they also want to encourage the general public to come forward with any information they might have regarding the gruesome killing.
Prosecutor Rienk Mud said police questioned the two persons who came to St. Maarten to identify the victim prior to taking them to the morgue for the official identification. Asked if Freeman was living on the island Mud said based on the information he received the victim was living on his native island Tortola. Mud said the local police will be working closely with BVI police as they investigate the murder of Freeman.
According to reliably information reaching SMN News the victim left Tortola on Sunday en-route to St. Maarten, so far it has not be determined what was the purpose of Freeman's visit to St. Maarten.
SMN News also learnt that Freeman owns a boat and he probably entered the island by boat. On Tuesday Police in the BVI were seen taking photographs of the boats docked at Tellis Bay dock where it is believed that Freeman's boat was docked. Sources say the now dead man bought a speed boat some two months ago which bears the name Renegade, but that information could not be confirmed.

The Platinum News website of BVI states that Freeman is known on that island as Chunks or Jason Freeman. Speaking to SMN News Melissa French of Platinum News said the victim was charged last June, French said Freeman made the news when he reportedly shot his girlfriend. At the time, Freeman told Police that the gun accidently went off, hitting his girlfriend, he was charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of explosives.

The man had then pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $4,000.00 or 16 months in prison for keeping an unlicensed firearm and for unlawful possession of explosives he was fined $500.00 or six months in prison.

SMN News contacted the mother of the victim Sonia Lewis who was on her way to the Princess Juliana International Airport for a comment, the bereaved woman said she could not comment since she was in no mood to speak. Asked if she knew how her son entered St. Maarten the woman said she did not know but she was not willing to say if her son had owned a boat. " I have no comment at this time, I am not in a mood to speak." Lewis said.

Philipsburg:--- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba expressed her disappointment about an article published on SMN News regarding the Brooks Tower Permits. The Minister felt that the information is meant to discredit her efforts to legalize the undocumented and those that worked on the project.
While State Secretary for Justice Ernie Simmons said that there might be people who would prefer human smuggling rather than regulating the undocumented. He felt that there are persons who would prefer St. Maarten to stay in a negative light but the intentions of the Justice Ministry was to regulate the undocumented. Simmons said there are several older persons and young children who could not get into schools because of their illegal status.
The State Secretary said there are young people who completed their education on St. Maarten and yet they are not able to find a job here due to their status. He felt there are people who are preying on the undocumented but the justice department is bent on regulating the immigration situation.
Jacoba said some 5,000 persons who met the category 1 and 2 managed to receive a BTA permit. The Minister said she is quite satisfied with the process even though there were ups and downs and those that were not satisfied with the process. She said the BTA has opened a door for the undocumented to regulate their status.
However, she admitted that she is currently meeting with stakeholders to develop a policy that would allow the holders of the category 1 permits to sign for themselves. Jacoba said the first round of discussions was held on Wednesday on St. Maarten and she still has to meet with all the Lt. Governors of the Netherlands Antilles to develop the new policy which would be implemented in July 2010. Jacoba said when the BTA was launched they agreed to allow persons who are living on the island before 2001 to get their permits without proof of income simply because with the proof of being on the island that long showed they survived. She said even though St. Maarten and Curacao is becoming countries they all have to take a decision as to how to deal with the persons who fall under category 1. "If you ask me we have to take in consideration that those people survived here all those years and we need to see what to do about them." State Secretary Ernie Simmons said he wants to know if they need to remain in denial about the existing problems regarding the undocumented or should they come up with a policy to solve the problems once and for all so that this situation does not reoccur. He said all stakeholders were asked to give their input so that the discussion can take place to create the new policy.
Persons who received the BTA permits are urged to get their documents together and to go to the immigration and naturalization building to begin the process to receive a regular residency permit.

GREAT BAY,– The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) of Sector Public Health, Social Development & Labour, hereby announces its second week schedule for mosquito fogging.

The first week commences on Sunday, May 16 while the second week campaign starts on May 24.

The schedule shows the date, time and neighbourhood where the mosquito fogging will be carried out.

There will be no spraying in the event of rain as this would defeat the purpose of the campaign. Homeowners during the time of the spraying should open all doors and windows.

Dishes of food, fish tanks and bird cages should be covered. Stay away from open windows and doors during the spraying. The company responsible for carrying out the fogging campaign is Harrigan Exterminating Services.

The schedule for the second week is:

Monday May 24, 2010 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Pointe Blanche, Philipsburg, Guana Bay, The Dump

Tuesday May 25, 2010 4:30 am – 6:30 am
A.Th. Illidge Road, Madame Estate, Arch Road, Sucker Garden

Wednesday May 26, 2010 4:30 am – 6:30 am
Middle Region from A.Th. Illidge Road end

Thursday May 27, 2010 4:30 am – 6:30 am
The Keys, Defiance, St. James Estate, Middle Region

Friday May 28, 2010 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dawn Beach, Oyster Pond, Belvedere

Saturday May 29, 2010 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dutch Quarter

Sunday May 30, 2010 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dutch Quarter from Tamarind Tree in Middle Region

Marigot: --- Politicians and those in government on both sides of the island were blamed on Saturday night for the hypocrisy that lies behind the Treaty of Concordia. SOS radio invited several politicians and activist Leopold James to speak on the treaty which was signed some 350 years ago.
While several of the invited guests did not show up to speak, former leader of Government Sarah Wescot Williams, President Frantz Gumbs, Opposition leader Alain Richardson, Territorial Councilor Guillaume Arnell and activist Suja Reiph were among those who spoke about the treaty and its misuse at the Marigot Waterfront on Saturday evening.
Suja Reiph reminded the gathering that he was part of a delegation that went to the French Parliament in 1990 where he presented the treaty hoping that the treaty would have been recognized. Reiph said there are those who are saying that the treaty was not ratified and thus they refused to accept the treaty which was signed and lived by the island's forefathers. The Treaty of Concordia was signed decades before the European Union treaty and the Treaty of Rome said opposition leader Alain Richardson.
President of the Saint Maarten Nation Building Foundation Leopold James thanked the organizers for giving him the opportunity to address the people he has been defending for years. James said he was humbled at the invitation since he is not an elected official that holds public office however he was given the mandate to represent the people of St. Maarten/ St. Martin whom he met with only days ago to discuss the invitation.

The foundation's president made clear that the mission of his organization is to Strengthen and preserve the identity of St. Martin and its people. James gave credit to native Daniella Jeffry who is known for documenting the island's history and she has been the main source of information to many who cares to know the roots and history of the Friendly Island.
James said while the Treaty if Concordia is an interesting document and it is legally binding it certainly needs to be amended.

He felt that the treaty itself is the fact that it is the St. Martin people, who gave content and real meaning to the Treaty, by living it from the onset of their emancipation and even before. He said the way of life of St. Maarten and its people has gone way beyond the treaty itself.
The treaty talks about working together between two distinctly different nations.
For hundreds of years the St. Martin people lived on the entire island as one body, one people, one blood. The SNBF president said that the people of St. Martin/ St Maarten has lived in harmony without protest and they should now come together and claim St. Maarten from the French and Dutch Colonial system through common law.
"Our challenge and priority therefore should be is to 'transform' this common- or unwritten law into written law and to amend the Treaty to reflect our contemporary reality. In that regard, we must commend the CONSENSUS group for having taken that initiative back in the early '90's by formulating, what was called, I think what was called 'Contract with Saint Martin'.' James said.
James said the SNBF is no longer going to accept political rhetoric or lip service from their politicians and neither should the young people since the island needs hard commitments and they do need them quickly if they are to escape the colonial system that is bearing down on both sides of the island. Thus his association and its members formulated a covenant which was presented to the politicians to sign as a commitment to their promises.
Shortly after delivering his address James and members of the SNBF were seen asking those who attended the night's ceremony to sign a petition in support of the treaty and the covenant presented to the politicians.
Territorial Councilor Guillaume Arnell on the other hand felt it is time to re-write the treaty since the island and its inhabitants are burdened with the colonial system. Arnell did not mingle with words when he highlighted some of the negative effects the French and Dutch laws have on St. Maarten. "Arnell the island inhabitants are forced to put aside their ways of life and to adapt the lives and laws of the Europeans. Arnell said the treaty was signed on March 23 1648 by Robert Longvilliers and Martin Thomas and while mention is made of the witnesses and the place where the signing took place there is nothing mentioned about the people of St. Martin/ St. Maarten.
Arnell said when one examined the treaty was signed one would realize that there were only slaves and slave owners living on the island even after the abolition of slavery. He said the island natives only obtained their freedom through rebellion.
As Arnell examined the treaty he said in articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 are all relevant to the colonial system and there are references to the French and Dutch man. Arnell said article 5 of treaty spoke of the inhabitants which to him needs questioning.

"History also reveals that in spite the partition treaty; relations between the two sides were not always cordial, for between 1648 and 1816, conflicts changed the border no less than sixteen times." Arnell said.

He said in the 20th century, once free from physical and mental dominations, the people of St Martin, because there were no other choice for survival, after the decline of the sugar and salt industries have steadfastly cling to the essence of the treaty mainly by living as one people, sharing the good and shouldering together the bad.

Arnell said based on that he sense recognize the wisdom, cleverness, of some of the former leaders who did instil in the people, the sense of belonging: one island, one people. He credited the late Dr. Claude Wathey, Felix CHOISY, Dr PETIT, Vance JAMES and many others, for their outstanding contribution to such a cause.
He said since the development on the Dutch side began it led the people to maintain their love, harmony and togetherness. However, he said there are consequences that came due to self sufficiency, greed and the excitement of the colonial powers of France and their attempt to instil confusion in the minds of the people of St. Martin.
Arnell the French side could not survive without the French norms or French styles giving example of their cuisine, their RMI, , Parents isolés, Allocations familliales and femmes seules. The territorial councillor said even the building codes were changed from simply laying blocks to "coffrage," and from individual homes to new standards with buildings with several floors.
He made mention of the current controversies between the sides on the drivers license, insurance policies which are hindering the people's way of life and free circulation.
Arnell said the people of St. Maarten who were once proud and strong people have now become individualist who are grasping at every opportunity to climb the ladder of economic wealth forgetting their common land, history, culture, trials and tribulations over the years.

"The picture of yesterday has vanished, the riches of this land are no more the same: No more salt ponds, no more dye wood, no mines nor minerals etc...
On the other hand, two airport, two water and electricity companies, two commercial piers, two different electricity voltage power, two social and medical system and even at a pointing time, two different taxi and bus fares base on the departure place: for example : Juliana to Marigot or Marigot to Juliana." Arnell said.

He asked the gathering what is it they intend to do now since the past is past and the present is now while the future depends on what they decide to do. Arnell said there is still one truth behind what is currently taking place which is they cannot continue to go their separate ways and they need to draw the blue prints of common destiny where the St. Martiner will not be absent from the table of negotiations.

He warned the two sides as they embrace the cause of the new status to be careful not to be building two new countries, with more constrains, more prohibitions, more boundaries instead of bridging the gap between both sides.

Arnell said he believes that the time has come for the people to enter into a new era with more pride, more ambitions, a better sense of direction and they should commit themselves to better governance and make the necessary changes to meet the challenges of the new world order, and as such they should not rewrite the treaty of Concordia instead write a new treaty. This new treaty has to be done by the people and for the people, not a scripting of future policies and programmes, but a document reflecting the combined hopes, aspirations and vision of a wide cross section of citizens of this island.
He said there needs to be honest commitment and realistic proposals to redeem the name and image of St Martin and its people and to transcend traditional side belonging.

He made references of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by former leader of government Sarah Wescot Williams and Mayor Albert Fleming but said it was not enough and more over the leaders did not follow up on the document while too many people have been ignoring its existence. He urged the people to seize the moment and join hands in making the proposals and to put country before self as they analyse the issues facing the nation.

Philipsburg:---The impression might have been created that for some obscure reason the members of the DP faction in the island council did not attend the continuation of the island council meeting on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, dealing with the agenda point "Changes to the articles of Incorporation of Telem Holding".
It can be recalled that this meeting had been adjourned on May 11, after 12 am at which time the Chairman of the Island Council announced that the continuation would be on the 12th at 3.00 pm.
It is a fact that on that Wednesday, no DP faction member was present in the hall at 3 pm promptly, albeit that this was not intentional.
In fact, DP island council member, Maria Buncamper Molanus arrived in the Legislative Hall at appr. 3.06 pm only to hear that the Chairman had just brought down the gavel and closed the meeting. A request by the Council lady to allow her to sign in was not/could not be entertained.
About 1 minute later, Council Lady Wescot arrived on the scene, only to be told by Council man Louie Laveist at the bottom of the stairs that the meeting had been closed.
Government members were in all probability quite amused as indeed: "they had caught the DP". But did they?
Clearly, seeing that no member of the opposition DP was present, the people of St. Maarten were "treated" with a less that 2 minutes presentation by the Leader of Government, Mr. William Marlin.
To add insult to injury, a member of the ruling coalition, Mr. Samuel was allegedly muzzled by the leader of government, because had that member been allowed to speak, the meeting would have continued, allowing members of the DP to arrive and make the government give account of their actions.
Nothing in essence against the proposal which came from Telem, but government can not expect in this day and age to do as they please and not give account.
Some feel that the DP should get some satisfaction seeing that the government appears to be on the run from the opposition.
How often had the DP faction in the island council not have to wait for members of government to arrive, for members of government to just simply get their act together for the meeting or for government to decide who should speak.
Still, meeting starts at 3 pm, DP members should have been there.
But with or without the DP members, the government had the opportunity to explain to the general population the request from TELEM for amendments to its articles of incorporation so it could have a bond issue arranged in the amount of 20 million US dollars. Government could have explained to the people how things stand presently with our telephone company; how far the company is with negotiating a strategic partnership and with whom.
There is no possibility for Telem's management or Board to come in a public island council meeting and explain to the Island Council and the people of Sint Maarten how they are faring as a company, what the prospects are for our government-owned telephone company, short and long term.
But the government has that possibility, in fact the government has that RESPONSIBILITY to the people it represents.
Was the DP caught, by arriving a few minutes late? No, the people of Sint Maarten were, because the government got away with not giving any account of a decision they took regarding the Telephone company, a decision that definitely can not be considered a routine matter and thus business as usual.

Great Bay,– The recently held Boardwalk Mas was a "huge success" in terms of participation and crowd appeal, says Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega.
With some 40 individual and group participants in original and colorful costumes, the almost mile-long parade was led by Moko Jumbies and a royal court of beauty queens past and present.
"The crowd lined the boardwalk in large numbers, and most restaurants did brisk business," noted LaBega. "But more importantly, St. Martin people came out to make it a memorable family outing with their children."
Noting that the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau came up with the idea of the Boardwalk Mas as a heritage event originating from the Tourism Master Plan (TourMap), LaBega added that it was very pleasing to see sometimes even three generations of the same family at the event.
"The Boardwalk Mas has exceeded our expectations this year and that is because the whole community has embraced it," she said. "The parade was a joy to see, and the performances on stage were simply excellent."
"I want to seize this opportunity to thank each and every participant and performer, parade manager Urmain Dormoy, coordinators, House of Nehesi Publishers, all our sponsors and especially the people of St. Martin who demonstrated that the Boardwalk Mas was about them and for them," LaBega concluded.

Philipsburg: --- Members of the Toastmasters International Club on St. Maarten said the island's club has made history on the island of St. Lucia since they were able to capture seats in all three levels. Valerie Brazier said St. Maarten now has representatives in the Area, Division and the District.
Brazier said while St. Maarten had representatives at the Area level this is the first time they got representatives at the Division and District. She said last weekend 20 toastmasters from St. Maarten attended the 20th Caribbean biannual conference in St. Lucia. She said St. Maarten was fully represented since they had Karine Rombley competing in the table topic impromptu speech contest, while Brazier conducting a workshop, with Emilia Thomas incoming Area Governor has been recognized in her new position and Richelda Emanuel was elected Division Governor and Rolando Tobias was also elected District Lt Governor for Marketing. Brazier said while no other candidates did not postulate for the post Thomas and Emanuel now holds, Tobias on the other hand had to compete against three other candidates.
Brazier said the St. Maarten Toastmasters that attended the conference were very proactive since they participated in almost every event throughout the conference.

Tobias told members of the media that he is planning to use his skills and energy in the marketing field to package Toastmasters International to attract and mold the members and existing clubs. Tobias said one objectives is to rescue those clubs that are going under or not as productive while he intends to attract new members to create more clubs. He has called on persons with an open mind to join the Toastmasters since it would benefit them for their entire life.

French Quarter: --- Residents of French Quarter arrested a partially handicap young man after he began shooting wildly in the neighborhood. At least four persons are injured and were transported to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital on Wednesday evening.
The suspect known in French Quarter as Calix Monton is also hospitalized after angry residents allegedly beat him for his actions. "The boys got angry after Calix ran away from one area where he fired the first sets of shots and injured at least three persons and then firing another shot at the nearby restaurant" said one bystander.

However, the gendarmes have stated that the shot gun which was used in the shooting was not recovered. Commandant of the Gendarmerie Stephanne Brunet said the gun disappeared where the citizens arrest was made. The gendarmes also detained the brother of the suspect to see if he was aware of his brother's gun possession. Brunet said they are busy conducting their preliminary investigations to determine exactly what happened and the state of mind of the suspect.

According to several bystanders on Rue Fish-Pot said the suspect who is handicapped is known to be a quiet person but something or someone must have annoyed him and he flipped. It is understood that the suspect began shooting on the road not far away from where he lived and in the vicinity of the scout club. Several residents where the suspect lives said his brother was not at home neither was he in the area when the shooting took place.
It must be noted that even though the incident occurred in the area of the Scout Club, the children attending the club are not injured.

SMN News learnt that Stevie the school bus driver is one the injured persons as well as Gilbert the owner of a local restaurant in the area. The other victims are identified as Francis and Greg.
One bystander said Stevie escaped narrowly as he was in his car at the time of the shooting. The man said when Stevie saw the suspect pointing a gun at him he immediately bend down and accelerated in an effort to escape, but the shooter fired the shot at the back of the car. The bullet it is understood penetrated the back windshield hitting the well known bus driver in his back. Another victim it is said received a shot in his shoulder. Up to press time the exact condition of the victims was unknown.

GREAT BAY:--- A reading program for children, ages 0-4 at the Jubilee Library. Senior librarian Alex Richards back at the Public Library in Marigot. St. Martin Book Fair stepping up promotions for its June 3-5 festival. A new autobiography by first-time author Felecita Williams in bookstores last week and set to launch this week.
And that's just some of the reading and book-related news and media discussions for the month of May alone.
But are the people, and especially the children of the island reading books published in St. Martin? How do we get concrete information, objective figures, about the performance of books published by St. Martin authors?
"Over a year ago we got hard facts from Van Dorp bookstore. This year we turned to the Philipsburg Jubilee library," said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
So what are the facts? In 2009, four St. Martin books topped the chart for being taken out of the Jubilee Library (PJL), according to Ans Koolen, system administrator and assistant director of PJL.
Outrunning the top four was Love Songs Make You Cry, taken home 300 times in 2009, mostly by young readers. "This is an amazing comeback story for us at House of Nehesi because we published that book exactly 20 years ago as St. Martin's first short stories collection," said Sample.
Part of what drove the hits on Love Songs? "This book is on the reading list of secondary schools, which gave a boost to circulation," said Koolen.
Next in line for being taken home, 274 times, was An Introduction to Government – Island territory St. Maarten by Louis Duzanson, followed by Know Your Political History, 2nd edition, by the Lynch brothers, with 241 "visits" home. The third book borrowed from PJL with a high frequency in 2009, was National Symbols of St. Martin, 236 times.
The second set of popularly borrowed HNP books, with 147 and 100 hits respectively at PJL, were St. Martin Massive! and another short stories book Brother of the Spurs by Lasana M. Sekou.
Koolen pointed out that Introduction to Government, Know Your Political History, and the long-time library favorite National Symbols of St. Martin "were also used a lot in the library, so not checked out, and the stats don't reflect this."
Guess which poetry books were taken out from PJL the most in 2009? Golden Voices of S'Maatin by Ruby Bute (62x); Songs and Images of St. Martin by the late Charles Borromeo Hodge (52x); and Drisana Jack's The Rainy Season (50x). Cul-de-Sac People by Mathias Voges was borrowed 50 times.
There were other titles showing activity too but taken home less than 50 times last year, said Sample.
Koolen emphasized that a number of St. Martin books and books from the rest of the Caribbean and around the world—a number in various languages—are read regularly by library visitors but are not recorded as borrowed books since they are used in the reading areas of the library.
The junior scholastic booklets of non-traditional nation builders are examples of book used in the library but not checked out for home use. "These pamphlets were mainly used in-house, especially during Black History Month. Local achievers Chester York (pan man) and Gassy (cyclist) were the most popular" in 2009, said Koolen.
"What else can we say at House of Nehesi but, thank you, St. Martin. We hope to continue publishing books of dynamic quality that we all can take home or wherever else we well please," said Sample.

Philipsburg:---Excitement is building as the Democratic Party prepares for its 2010 annual conference. This conference will be held on June 6th and an organizing committee is busy finalizing the program for the event.
The conference will take the entire day and will be held at the Rock House Restaurant at Port de Plaissance from 8.30 am to 5 pm, starting with registration and breakfast. Lunch will be served as well.
The party membership is being approached individually to ensure their participation as this 2010 conference takes on special meaning under the theme "Going Forward", a theme that corresponds with the motto adapted by the party president, Mr. Michael Ferrier, when he assumed the position in 2009.
In the invitation for the conference, Democratic Party members are reminded that there will be a historic election for the government that will take us into Country St. Maarten later this year and that members will have the opportunity to give their views on matters regarding the election, such as the selection of candidates to run on the Party's slate, etc.
Several features of the"image re-branding" by the Party will be revealed to members during the conference.
Topics of interest to the population in general such as taxes, immigration, crime, health and education will be presented and where necessary, membership resolutions will be adopted.
In explaining the importance of members' involvement, the leader of the Democratic Party, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams stressed to the members: "You have the opportunity to direct the course of the Party through your active participation in this annual membership conference".
Party President, Mr. Michael Ferrier considers preparation of the membership as crucial to the success of the Party. To quote him: "While elections are due before 10-10-10, the exact date is yet to be decided. Regardless to exactly when they will be, we must be prepared and to this end we need to inform our party members. We must get their input on matters relating to the upcoming election, our slate of candidates for this historic election, membership resolutions and many other issues as we go forward.
The 2010 Democratic Party Conference has precisely this as motto: "GOING FORWARD"!
Members can register in advance for the conference by calling 542-1364 or e-mailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

The island of Jamaica, our Caribbean sister-island is currently experiencing unprecedented social unrest. There have been and continues to be reported incidents of attacks on citizens and law enforcers alike. This has forced the government of Jamaica to put the island's capital city under a limited State of Public Emergency.
We realize that this mayhem which has stemmed from rebellion to prevent Christopher 'Dudus' Coke from being arrested for possible extradition to the United States, is not only a trying time for those Jamaicans residing at home but also those living abroad.
Some of the latest headlines coming out of Jamaica:

• Soldier killed, four others injured
• Woman shot and injured on Spanish Town Road
• Some schools closing but exams continuing
• Two soldiers shot in West Kingston
• Air Jamaica cancels flights due to violence
• Emergency appeal for blood donations
• Security forces move on Tivoli Gardens

just to name a few have caused much watchfulness, alertness, uncertainty, fear, sorrow and anxiety for the entire Jamaican community, its Caribbean neighbors and the international community.
The Democratic Party recognizes that the Jamaican Community of St. Maarten has made and continues to make valuable contributions to the development of our island territory. We therefore regard it our duty to make known to the Jamaican community here and back home that our sympathies and prayers are with them and their families, especially those in Jamaica. We sincerely hope that the situation does not worsen further and that normality and calm will return as soon as possible. We pray for wisdom, strength, and courage for the Government officials and advisors, law enforcers and those whose task it is to aid in restoring order and normality.

Marigot: ---- The boss of Chronopost in Marigot is now in custody for alleged drug related charges. It is understood that the suspect is part of a drug ring which is under surveillance by the French authorities in St. Martin and Martinique (OCRTIS). The arrest and transfer of the suspect has been confirmed by OCRTIS office on St. Martin.
SMN News also learnt that the suspect who is well known in the community of St. Martin as Mollo was transferred to prison Grasse in South of France pending the investigation. It is understood that the suspect just recently purchased a restaurant in Marigot as well as brand new vehicle.
SMN News also learnt that a female suspect was also arrested with the main suspect on St. Martin. Efforts made to contact Prosecutor Jacques Louvier for more information on the case proved futile as Louvier is currently off island.
In the meantime, Operations manager of Chronopost Sammy Soulard said the company wants to stress that the suspect was not the manager of Chronopost St Martin, instead he was just a desk clerk.
Furthermore, Chronopost has been collaborating fully with the authorities on this matter, helping the investigators identify their suspect.
The desk clerk's contract has been suspended immediately.

French Quarter/ Marigot: --- Parents, teachers and students of the College Mont des Accord and other high schools on the French side participated in a protest march on Tuesday protesting against violence in schools.
A delegation met with the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin where the concerns of the parents and teachers were presented. The protestors also formulated a petition which was presented to the office of Robert Romney, representative of the Rectorat.
Teachers and students of the French Quarter College were caught by surprise on Tuesday morning when they found the gates of their school heavily chained and padlocked. Directress of the institution Janine Hamlet said no one officially informed her of the protest march. She said while she is understands the need to stop the violence in schools it is rather anti-democratic for those organizing the march to lock down the school. Hamlet said she believed the gates were locked during the early morning hours and the gendarmes had to visit the school and cut off the chain and locks.
The gates of the College Mont des Accords were also chained and padlocked throughout the day on Tuesday.
Close to two hundred persons took the streets as they attempted to send a clear message to those in authority. Organizers of the march said that they spoke out constantly about the constant and increasing violence in schools due to overcrowding, security and other safety concerns and no one paid attention.

Philipsburg -- Students of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School Grade 4 visited the Domino's Pizza facilities on the Bush Road, early Thursday morning. "I applaud Domino's Pizza for allowing us the opportunity of taking our students on an exciting and educational trip, whilst learning how to make their very own pizza," remarked Teacher Stuart Johnson.
Manager of Domino's Pizza Heather Caputo guided the students throughout the hour long tour and lecture, whereby they got to hear countless factual facts regarding Domino's Pizza worldwide. Johnson added, "It goes to show when schools and businesses work together, our children benefit in several ways, by equipping our students with the value of hands on learning."

The students were treated to the pizza's they made, sodas and a special lava desert cake. Upon completion of the educational tour the students received a certification which awarded them the title of "Junior Pizza Maker."
Johnson thanked the management and staff of Domino's Pizza for making this educational trip possible and extremely worthwhile. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School is a public school located in the district of Dutch Quarter with a student population of over two hundred and twenty students.

PHILIPSBURG – The Department for Development Cooperation (DEVCO) in the Netherlands Antilles in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme and the University of St. Martin (USM) will be hosting a public lecture on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on Tuesday, June 8, 2010.
The lecture will be held at the University of St. Martin Lecture Hall from 6pm to 8:30PM and is free of charge.
"We are very honored to be partnering with DEVCO and the UN Development Programme to provide necessary information to the public of St. Maarten on these very important development goals especially going into Country status," said USM President Josianne Fleming Artsen.
At the United Nations Summit in 2000, a declaration was made. 189 countries including the Kingdom of the Netherlands agreed on 8 goals, 18 targets and over 40 indicators that makes up the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The eight MDGs goals are: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, Achieve universal primary education, Promote gender equality and empower women, Reduce child mortality, Improve maternal health, Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, Ensure environmental sustainability and Develop a global partnership for development.
Members of the civil service, government, and the private sector are invited to this very informative session.
The key note speaker will be Mr. Stefano Pettinato, MDG Policy Advisor, Regional Bureau for Latin America and Caribbean with key presentations from Mr. Edo Stork, Deputy Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles.
Persons or entities interested in attending this lecture are also urged to confirm their attendance with Ms. Margie Maurica by the close of business on June 3, 2010. They can do so by emailing her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The USM lecture hall has a seating capacity for about 200 people and attendants are urged to be on time.

MARIGOT—The Gendarmes arrested a 25 year old man and sent him off to Guadeloupe on Friday. The suspect was sentenced to 18 months, six of which are suspended for crimes he committed previously. The suspect was caught in Hope Estate during a routine control. At the time he did not have his driver's license and was in possession of a sixth category weapon.
The gendarmes also sent out a reminder to all boat users about their speed limits and the need to have lights on their boat after an accident occurred in the Simpsonbay Lagoon on April 17.
A boat owner was charged with being in control of vessel that was speeding with no lights when it collided with a small dingy. One of three persons on the dingy had to be taken to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital for injuries they sustained.
The accident prompted a control by the brigade Nautique who issued several fines to boat users mostly for excessive speed and not having the required documents to operate a boat.
Several persons using the lagoon were also summoned to court in June 2010.
In an unrelated incident on April 28 a collision between a scooter and car occurred in La Savanne. The scooter rider was taken to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital for injuries he sustained. According to the gendarmes the rider of the scooter was riding without a helmet.

The outpour of long pent-up emotion, pride, sense of ancestral belonging, togetherness and hope, dominated the event held on labor-day, Saturday, May 1, 2010.
Those who attended the event, are still in awe of the inspirational impact it has left behind, as well as the significance in terms of the inevitable role the natives of this island are set to play in bringing about changes favoring their interest in the development of the island.
The oftentimes heard 'mantra', that its was 'done' too late to bring about positive changes for the people of the island, is making way for the a thinking.
Yes, we can and certainly yes we will !
The ceremony was organized by the grass root St. Martin nation building & unification movement in collaboration with the New Era Foundation.
As part of the mission of this new pro-St. Martin partnership, 'Strengthening and preserving our St. Martin identity, unity & way of life', this ceremony was organized to be the first, in a series of ongoing public activities, which are expected to awaken the feeling of belonging of all native-indigenous St. Martiners to their country.
Based on the impact, these future functions are expected to have on the St. Martin community in general, the organizers decided to first, out of respect and love for the contribution made by many St. Martin ancestors, to honor them posthumously by offering a token of recognition to one of their descendants.
During the ceremony which was brilliantly chaired by Mr. Jeffrey RICHARDSON as M.C. and assisted by Mr. Christopher EMANUELLE, Mr. Leopold JAMES did the opening remarks.
As was to be expected, keynote-speaker, historian Ms. Daniella JEFFRY, held the audience spellbound by her knowledge of th history of the island.
Clearly there is a very good reason why many consider her as St. Martin's own 'grande-dame' and certainly a native St. Martin icon and landmark.
Stealing the show, was 9-year old Hanae PETERSON, a grand-daughters of Mrs. Aline CHOISIE, school-principal and former Councilor on French Saint Martin.
When Hanae witness the handing out of the certificates and heard the recipients expressing appreciation, she whispered into her grand-ma's ear; 'Mamy can I say something too ?'
What this little and obviously, very talented young girls then told the audience certainly touched the souls of all, when she ended by saying that she loved St. Martin more than anything else.
This gave all a sense of pride, inspiration and relief that there is great hope for the natives of this island to preserve their ancestral-heritage and rights as host population of this country.
Certificates of recognition were given posthumously to;
Felix CHOISIE, Louis-Constant FLEMING sr, Jean-Luc HAMLET, Xavier Vanburing JAMES, Atley LARMONIE, Wallace PETERSON, Jules ARTSEN, Simon JEFFRY, Alberic RICHARDS, ALbert ADAMS,
James Theophilus PRIEST, Joseph LAKE , Lilian STEPHEN, Lionel SCOT, Alexander RICHARDSON.
The representatives of the recipients each received an autographed copy of the book '1963 A Landmark Year in Saint Martin' by Daniella JEFFRY, who also had the honor to gave out the certificates.
In addition, all receives a copy of a DVD with 4 national songs of the island, St. Martin is my home by Lino and the Hardways, Oh Sweet St. Martin land by father Kemp, Rally around the national flag, and St. Martin will live on by Jeffrey RICHARDSON.
Mr. Leopold JAMES, handed out a certificate of recognition to Daniella JEFFRY for the contributions made by her late father Mr. Simon JEFFRY.
All in attendance, including president Frantz GUMBS, heaped praise on Leopold for having consistently been the voice of the native-St. Martin people for almost 30 years.
Although he could not attend in person, Governor Franklyn RICHARDS, sent Mr. Leopold JAMES an email and also called him the day before the event to extend his best wishes for the event and to express his deep appreciation for the work being done to restore the pride and dignity of the St. Martin people.
This, the Governor stressed, is now more than ever needed, if we are to build a sustainable country St. Maarten and to attract the right people for the process.
In ending all those involved one way or the other are thanked for making this event a historical one and a great success.
Clearly, this ceremony has completely lived up and even surpassed the expectation that it will contribute significantly to a paradigm-shift, in which St. Martiners will claim their rightful role as host population of this island.
In addition, this ceremony has also laid a very powerful foundation for another event, which will take place on May 15, 2010 and is organized by Billy D. HAMLET o emphasize the indivisible one-nesss and traditional way of life of the native St. Martin people.
For copies of the DVD of the event, one can contact Mr. Jeffrey RICHARDSON at 5221574 or 5860043 or at email;This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marigot:--- Students of the Herve Williams 1 School in the Spring were locked out of school on Tuesday. According to a concerned parent the Directress of the school did not notify parents that she would be taking drastic actions on Tuesday by locking out students. The mother said she arrived at the school with her two children and noticed that the teachers including the directress were all standing outside the school. After a while she said the directress left the area without informing the students and parents who were all waiting alongside the road that she would not open the school for the day. "Many of the students left saying they were going by friends while some of them just wandered the streets."
The woman said she learnt from other students that the Directress and her teachers were protesting against the violent behaviour of a disturbed parent.
Further investigations into the lock out revealed that a well known parent of the school walked into the school on Monday and physically abused a male teacher in the presence of all his students. SMN News further understands that the parent in question has done so before and that the school gates are normally closed but on Monday another teacher accidentally left the gate open.
According to information gathered the parent accused the teacher in question of spanking her 7 year old child and the disgruntled mother was on the lookout to see when she would get the opportunity to beat the teacher in question. Other sources say the teachers of the school have been refusing to attend to the child because he has issues with one of their colleagues. "This is not the way to handle this matter, the child in question needs attention and if the teachers are not going to give him that attention then something would happen," another parent said. Members of the union were also seen at the school hoping that the directress and authorities would find a solution to the ongoing problem. SMN News learnt that the gendarmes were called to the scene to remove the mother from the school premises.
"We do not have a problem with the school taking action, but they need to inform the parents as some of the students came all way from French Quarter by bus and they are left to wander the streets of Marigot. The directress could have informed the parents because she is responsible for these children during school hours whether or not there is a strike."
Several efforts made to contact the directress for a comment on Tuesday proved futile.

Philipsburg:--- Members of the Police Department namely detective, forensic, the armed robbery team and the special team investigating the murder cases on St. Maarten are on go-slow. Several persons informed SMN News that they have been trying to get assistance from the police force on Wednesday but no one is helping them. Already the prosecutor's office it is understood ordered the forensic department not to take evidence from homes or businesses that were robbed because the department is grossly understaffed. SMN News further learnt that the forensic department only has one person working in it and that person was told they should only process murder scenes.

SMN News further learnt that the officers in blue have decided to protest the understaffing of the police force and the lack of staff and equipments among other grievances specifically in the detective department. Sources close to the police said if the management team of the police force does not deal with the pending issues the action will intensify even though the union is not saying out loud that they are protesting.
One of the questions the detective department wants answered is who is managing the police KPSSS since the Prosecutor's office they said is allegedly making the decisions for the Police Force.
SMN News also learnt that the selected candidate that would take up the position as Chief of Police Peter de Witte who is currently serving in Aruba would only be available to St. Maarten by July 2010, while the Minister of Justice had said he would have taken his position by April 1 to May 15th. SMN News further learnt that the police bond and officers of the Korps is asking questions about the alleged Naf. 30,000 per month salary that De Witte would receive when appointed to St. Maarten.

In an invited comment President of the Police Bond Ronny Abrams said that the police is not in action however, he confirmed the police held a bond meeting all day on Wednesday to address issues relating to the detective department which is grossly understaffed. Asked if the union plans to address the issues surrounding Detective Carlton Phillips, Abrams said the union has decided to take the matter up and intends to deal with it.
SMN News learnt that Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba did not deal with Phillips dossier even though she heard him on several occasions. Sources close to the police organization said the Minister has sent a letter to Chief of Police Franklyn Richards asking him to issue a warning letter to Phillips for going to the media to expose the ills of the police management team.
SMN News further learnt that Richards received that letter over a month ago and so far he did not deal with it since he is soon to leave office. Several phone calls were placed to Richards's cellular phone for a comment but he did not answer his phone.

When contacted for a comment Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said she was not aware of the situation on St. Maarten she also advised that the Korpschef of St. Maarten to deal with the issues of the force he is managing. "please call the korpschef so he can tell you what is going on". Jacoba said.
Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran in written response to SMN News said the detective personnel complained about the understaffing at the Department which has been causing them to work extended hours over a long period of time. At this moment the department is dealing with seven major investigations of which six are capital cases. Doran said. He besides the major cases the detectives are called to deal with armed robberies and other crimes such as burglaries. The Assistant Chief Commissioner said the department has pulled its resources together to deal with the several murder investigations such as the Dayalani, Backstreet, Afoo Dutch Quarter, St. Peters, David Eustace, with the addition of the last case in Sucker Garden. We having teams consisting of Marechaussee, RST and KPSSS operating from different locations but still the work load is too much.
Asked what is the management team doing to address the understaffing Doran said the understaffing is a major problem throughout the organization. He said only recently the police got some new recruits from the police training school. The department he said already identified two prospective or potentials officers from the General Division and one from Saba to be transferred to the Detective Department. Doran further explained that formal talks with the respective chiefs still need to take place, and when officers are selected they still have to go through training to become detectives. Then they will have to undergo training in the field of detective while three officers have been transferred to the detective department and are part of the investigating team.
Asked how long would this situation continue he said this cannot be resolved overnight, the Police Force has been plagued with understaffing for a long period. He said it is not easy to select officers for the detective department and it will take sometime before they can reach the desired amount to resolve and deal with the crime situation on St. Maarten. At this moment there are 24 detectives in the department while they need as much as 81.
However, Doran refused to comment on the issue of Carlton Phillips and when would the Prosecutor's Office resume working with this detective. "I will not comment on the issues surrounding Detective Carlton Phillips" Doran said.

Marigot:--- Even though there are close to 9,500 students inscribed in the schools on the French side of the island and stand to benefit from bilingual education only about 60 persons turned up to march in support of Robert Romney. Participating in the protest march were some Collectivity workers clad in their working uniform and several territorial council members.
The marchers left the parking lot of Nina Duverly School about 9:30 am and marched through the streets of Marigot carrying posters. Posters that reads "Romney must remain on St. Martin, Respect our Specifities, An Excellent Education System for St Martin."
Their first stop was at the Collectivity of St. Martin where they met with Vice President Claire Javois and other council members as President Frantz Gumbs and Senator Louis Constant Fleming are currently off island. The delegation also marched to the office of Robert Romney where they showed him that the St. Martiners are in support of him before heading the Prefecture of Saint Martin to meet with officials there in the absence of Prefet Delegue Jacques Simonnet.
Aline Choisy, head of the support committee told reporters that members of the territorial council are scheduled to meet on May 11 to discuss the removal of Romney and other matters related matters to education. It is expected that the council would vote on Romney's transfer at that meeting to make sure that Robert Romney a native St. Martiner who is fully competent remains on St. Martin to precede with the education package he started months ago. Choisy said the march on Wednesday is the first of a series of action that they intend to take to make sure Romney remains on St. Martin. Choisy said they also have a petition for those in support of Romney to sign which will be sent to the Ministry of Education. Choisy said she was not disappointed with the amount of people that turned out to march but made clear that wars are never won with an entire army. She said St. Martiners always wait until the last minute before they join any action. "Actually I am St. Martiner and I know my people only act when the fire is under their feet." Choisy urged the parents of all the schools to get involved with their children's education and not to wait until there is a problem in the schools with their children.
"We are living in a bilingual country and I would like for the parents to be more attentive when it comes to education. It is not acceptable for certain parts of France to have bilingual education and for St. Martin where students are speaking English, Spanish and Creole and they do not have an education system that corresponds to their needs." Choisy said she believes that if the students of St. Martin are given bilingual education they would be more productive academically. Choisy said St. Martin has one of the best in the person of Robert Romney, a native St. Martiner who is bilingual, who also knows the problems the schools are faced with.
Choisy further explained that the reason they are reacting to the decision taken by the Rectorat is the manner in which Romney was informed about his removal. She said Romney was invited to a meeting in St. Barths on March 18th and it was there they announced that he would be removed from St. Martin back to Guadeloupe as a technical adviser to the Rectorat on Bilingual education. "Actually we do not think that Romney has received a promotion, we believe the Rectorat is sanctioning him and as such is putting him aside in Guadeloupe."

Choisy said the rector informed Romney that he was guiding St. Martin based on emotions and as such they felt it is necessary to remove him. She made clear that Romney's appointment was sanctioned by the Ministry but Romney was not given the means to execute his job here. Furthermore, those at the Rectorat humiliated Romney when they announced in St. Barths that he would be removed come September 2010.
Expressing concerns about the decision taken by the Rector is Lenny Mussington a teacher by profession. Mussington said he believes that the decision to remove Romney is a political one and the people of needs to get an explanation from the central government. Mussington said that Romney was the first St. Martiner to be nominated to such a prestigious position on St. Martin and removing him would be counterproductive.
Mussington said he personally spoke to Romney on several occasions and his main objective is to give the students attending school on St. Martin the opportunity to have a bilingual education system. He said Romney wants students to master both languages here so that they could perform better in school. Mussington said bilingual education would be extremely beneficial to students attending school on the French side of the island because they already are speaking English and instead of trying to master a language (French) they do not know is always more difficult. Mussington said he is basically endorsed Romney's approach and is rather surprised at the decision taken by the Rectorat. He said anyone who knows the statistics would see that the majority of the students attending school on St. Martin are not successful academically. He said the education system on St. Martin has been neglected over the years and the time has come to further research the problems faced in education and remedy it. Mussington said he do not know what is the real issue with the French Government and Romney are and he want to know if they have an issue with his approach on bilingualism. Mussington urged the committee to make sure they fully inform the parents and the population at large about the issues facing Romney and the education system on St. Martin.
In an invited comment opposition councilor and leader of the RRR Alain Richardson said education on St. Martin is not given the amount of attention it deserves and the situation today is far beyond Robert Romney. Richardson said St. Martin has certain areas of competency based on the organic law where they can be forceful. He said particularly relating to languages and cultural reality in the school programs. Richardson said if these possibilities are not exercised then St. Martin and its future generation are doomed. Richardson said Robert Romney is the only St Martiner who was appointed to a position where he could contribute to his island's development prior to retirement. However, Romney was not given the necessary means to work and neither did the Collectivity use him to fully enhance education. Richardson said should the Collectivity allow the Rectorat to remove Romney then they are definitely sending the wrong message to St. Martiners who are currently working in France, Martinique or Guadeloupe and are willing to return home to make their contributions to their island. Richardson said while it is necessary to make sure Romney remains on St. Martin to finish the job he started, the Collectivity has to also make sure the means to execute his job is given to him by the Rectorat or State. Richardson said the Organic law has given St. Martin the power to address the problems relating to culture, languages and education and it should be used to the fullest extent. Richardson said that St. Martin had the right person in the right position but regrettably the Collectivity did not capitalize on his capabilities. He said the intention of the RRR is to address this matter in the next council meeting and if they are successful in keeping him on the island then there should be a hand's on approach on the foundation for education on St. Martin.
SMN News also learnt that there are persons working within the education system on St. Martin that are pushing Romney's removal. Sources said there are persons who are giving the Rector information on St Martin's plan of action. "These persons are giving every detail to the rector who already contacted Romney on Wednesday morning and informed him that the decision on his removal has already been made and that the voices of the street would not change anything."

Philipsburg:--- Fourteen year old Joshua Hodge of the St. Maarten Academy emerged winner of the letter writing competition sponsored by Nieuwe Post Netherlands Antilles. Director of Nieuwe Post St Maarten Denicio Richardson told reporters at the prize giving ceremony on Thursday that this is the first time the Netherlands Antilles participated in the letter writing competition both in the Antilles as well as the 39th International Letter Writing Competition of the Universal Postal Union in Switzerland. The letter written by Hodge was selected to represent the Netherlands Antilles in Switzerland.
Participants of the competition were asked to write a letter to someone explaining to them why it is important to talk about HIV/Aids and to protect themselves from the disease.
Richardson said the International competition which is held annually is sponsored by the United Nations (UNAIDS) the World Heath Organization(WHO) and UNI Global Union all of whom are cooperating with the United Postal Union (UPU).
Richardson said invitations were sent to all Primary and Secondary Schools in the Netherlands Antilles and the participants of the contest had to be between the ages of 12 to 15 years old. He said a total of 28 schools participated and they submitted 86 letters of which 32 were from St. Maarten.
Two of the three winners are from St. Maarten namely Joshua Hodge of the St. Maarten Academy and Kimberly Williams of the ACE Foundation who captured the second prize. While the third prize went to Shaan Mahtani of Curacao. Hodge received a laptop as the first prize winner while Williams a Naf. 50 Windward Islands Debit Card and Mahtani a package of movie tickets.
Richardson said one of the reasons the United Postal Union and its sponsors chose the team HIV/AIDS was because of the current statics on persons living with HIV/ AIDS. Currently there are 33 million people that were infected with the deadly disease, while there are 7, 400 new cases reported daily, with 45% of these cases are between the ages of 15 and 24.
Accompanying the winners of the competition at the ceremony were the parents of Joshua Hodge, and his school principal Shareed Hussain, and the teacher of Kimberly Williams.

At the ceremony the first prize winner Joshua Hodge was asked what motivated him to write a letter on HIV/ Aids and he responded by saying that he wanted to share his personal experience with others. Hodge explained that he lost an uncle who was a gold miner to the disease as he was infected with a contaminated syringe. He said HIV/AIDS robbed him of the opportunity of ever meeting his uncle. Joshua Hodge is the son of internet journalist Bibi Hodge Shaw and Alain Hodge.
In concluding Denicio Richardson of Nieuwe Post said to young Hodge that he hoped that he would bring home the bacon from Switzerland as he did from the Antilles. He was also advised to use his laptop to further enhance his education.

Philipsburg: --- The Police A Team has arrested at least five persons in a major drug bust on Wednesday and Thursday disclosed Prosecutor Rienk Mud.
The five suspects arrested in Sint Maarten are H.M.A., R.A., D.P.L., F.D.B. and M.E.
E.M. was arrested in Curaçao. All suspects will be led before the investigating judge on Friday May 7 2010 said Prosecutor Rienk Mud in a press release.

Public Prosecutor Rienk Mud states that in a major ongoing international drug investigation conducted by the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST) in close cooperation with Korps Politie Sint Maarten Saba and Sint Eustatius (KPSSS), Korps Politie Curaçao (KPC), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Coastguard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Royal Marechaussee (KMAR) and the authorities of Colombia, Venezuela, Dominica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, five people were arrested on Wednesday May 5 2010. Four of these arrests took place in Sint Maarten and one in Curaçao. A sixth suspect was arrested in Sint Maarten on Thursday May 6 2010.

Some of the arrests were made by the "Arrestatie Team" (SWAT) of KPSSS. On one occasion the suspect was caught red handed with a loaded firearm.
In a house in Simpson Bay approximately 170 kg. of cocaine was found and seized.
During several house searches conducted by the investigating judge (rechter-commissaris) cell phones and documents were confiscated.

Both the prosecutor's offices in Sint Maarten and in Curaçao are very satisfied with the investigations Mud said.

Great Bay:--- Within hours after a Facebook page was set up for the 6th Annual Boardwalk Mas, hundreds of people responded positively to the invitation to the island's fastest-growing traditional and folkloric fete with a twist of modern artistic expressions. The event will be held at the Great Bay Promenade (The Boardwalk) from 5:00PM – 10:00PM, Saturday, May 15, 2010.
Commenting on how quickly the Boardwalk Mas has caught fire on Facebook, Regina LaBega, Director of Tourism said, "The whole island has embraced this social networking service with such enthusiasm that it would be unwise to ignore it in our bid to reach as wide a cross-section of the community as possible for this unique event designed for the entire family."
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is the organizer of The Boardwalk Mas, conceived as a celebration of St. Martin traditional festive and parade culture. The Boardwalk Mas is one of the concrete activities born out of the Tourism Master Plan (TourMap), which was created for the enjoyment of the island's people and to offer visitors an original St. Martin experience.
About 300 Facebook respondents have indicated that they will surely attend this year's Boardwalk Mas or are likely to do so. Many who live abroad or who will not be on the island on that date have expressed regrets but are encouraging family members and friends to enjoy it "on their behalf."
More than 30 groups and individual artistes have signed up for this year's event, which begins with a parade that culminates in a stage performance at the Square in front of the Courthouse.
The Boardwalk Mas is coordinated on behalf of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, by Offshore Editing Services, a division of House of Nehesi Publishers Foundation. The parade manager Urmain Dormoy can be contacted at 542-2337, for groups and individual artists wishing to participate in the parade or concert of the Boardwalk Mas.

For further information on this release, please contact Fabian Badejo @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; cel. 523-1491.

Philipsburg:---Former Commissioner of Personnel Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus has written to the Executive Council expressing the concerns of the DP faction in the Island Council about the Central Government Civil servants. The particular group that the faction is querying the government about is the civil servants who are working in the recently transferred ministries from the Central Government to the Island Government, who apparently have not received any confirmation securing their positions in the new St. Maarten government.

The letter dated May 10th 2010 states that while the first two ministries have been transferred from the Central Government to St. Maarten, the DP faction would like to express its concerns about the civil servants employed by the Central Government whose status apparently has not been regulated.

Councilmember Maria Buncamper-Molanus continues to state that the central committee handled the social statute and while the questions posed to the supporting staff present, were answered during the meeting, the government is yet to respond to questions posed directly to the Executive Council.

It is our understanding that the Central Government personnel were informed that they would be seconded to the Island Government as of April 19th 2010, but the Executive Council must agree that without an official document such as a resolution establishing this, these civil servants have no guarantees, not to mention possible consequences this could have for their legal status within the new government organization.

We are hereby impressing on the Executive Council to regulate this matter post haste in order to provide the necessary guarantees to the central government civil servants currently working in the ministries recently transferred to St. Maarten.

The DP faction is hereby requesting receipt of confirmation and substantiation that the legal status of the central government employees working in the recently transferred ministries has in fact been done. Secondly we hereby request to be informed which positions through this process have been filled in the new government organization.
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Philipsburg:--- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba is scheduled to arrive on St. Maarten on Tuesday where she would be meeting with the island's chief of police and leader of government to address the police go slow.
SMN News has been reliably informed that the meeting with Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards, Leader of Government William Marlin and the Minister is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. It is understood that the St. Maarten authorities would insist that the Minister deals with the issues facing the police since she is the one dealing the management of the Police Korps. Already St. Maarten suggested to the Minister to turn over management of the police to local authorities since St. Maarten is only months away from obtaining its country status but the Minister it is alleged refused.
SMN News learnt that Minister Jacoba would have to tell the local government how she intend to deal with the current go-slow as well as the issues facing the police department. The police department namely the detectives are on go slow since Wednesday last week. The officers it is understood met with their unions two days in a row to discuss some of the predicaments St. Maarten men in blue are facing. One of the core issues of the police is the understaffing which is hard hit on the detective department.
Several persons informed SMN News that they have been trying to get assistance from the police force but no one is helping them. Already the prosecutor's office it is understood ordered the forensic department not to take evidence from homes or businesses that were robbed because the department is grossly understaffed. SMN News further learnt that the forensic department only has one person working in it and that person was told they should only process murder scenes.

The detective department it is understood are protesting against the gross understaffing of the department. One of the pending questions the detectives has for the Minister as well as the management team of the police force is who exactly is managing the police force and what role does the prosecutor's office play in managing the police Korps. The detectives it is understood would also shed light on why they believe the pending murder cases are not being solved.
The Minister it is understood also have to explain the local government when exactly would the new police chief Peter de Witte would be available to St. Maarten. SMN News learnt that de Witte is expected to be on St. Maarten by June 1.
Sources say discussions would take place about detective Carlton Phillips since the Minister has sent a letter to the island's local chief of police informing him that he needs to send Phillips a warning letter for exposing the police management team in the media. So far, the local chief of police has not acted on the letter sent to him regarding Phillips simply because he was not involved in the investigation done by the police internal affairs.

Philipsburg: --- Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that the executive council has contradicted itself when they answered questions posed to them about the Solid Waste Disposal Facility as well as the voting of the proposals. Wescot Williams said during the voting the executive council voted in favor of the sub-amendment to their proposal which was submitted by the Democratic Party faction but they voted against the amendment itself. She said based on the rules of order the island council had to vote on the sub-amendment, then the amendment prior to voting on the proposal itself.

Furthermore she said she purposely asked the executive council if Windward Roads had already submitted a proposal and she was told no proposal has been submitted by the contractor since they are awaiting the assignment given to KEMA. Wesocot Williams further explained that terms of reference from government about the KEMA assignment states that KEMA is charged with evaluating the tender documents as well as the October proposal of Windward Roads. She said she wants to know how the executive council can tell the island council on May 10 that they do not have a proposal, yet their terms of reference states that KEMA has to issue an advice on the proposal submitted by Windward Roads in October. Wescot Williams said when her faction asked about the Health Impact Assessment Study they were told that the island council or central committee would only have access to the document in synchronization with KEMA. The island council lady said they were also told that the executive council did not approve the Impact Study as yet but she wants to know why this report cannot be made available to the island council since the study was conducted.
Another concern for the Democratic Party is if the Solid Waste Disposal Facility would be responsible for the picking up of garbage or if government still has to contract private entities to pick up garbage. Wescot Williams said as an island council member she wants to know if the facility would be responsible for the picking up of garbage throughout the island.
She said if that is case then government has to also say for what time frame these entities would be contracted. The leader of the Democratic Party said government is yet to say what would be EDC's involvement in the entire process.
Wescott Williams said the executive council still has to tell them what would be the water capacity of the Great Salt Pond after the construction of the Ring Road. Another concern for the Democratic Party is the alternative solution for the location of the facility.
Wescot Williams made clear that they do not want this new plant to become a second Intaquin which was used as a political football, neither does the Democratic Party want to be accused of stalling the process of such a project which is of urgent need to St. Maarten. She said the Intaquin saga has left St. Maarten without a sewage facility.

Philipsburg:---- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said that some arrangements have been made to address the concerns of the detectives of KPSSS. Just over a week ago the detectives on St. Maarten have decided to go on a go slow so that the police management would address their needs. SMN News reported earlier that the officers were posing several questions to the management of KPSSS, one of which is related to lack of staff and equipments.

Minister Jacoba said even though there is a solution the lack of manpower in the department still exists. She said currently the RST is assisting the local police force namely the detectives with the larger investigations on St. Maarten.
Jacoba said she also spoke to the police union where she agreed to upgrade the current capacity by adding at least four more persons to the detective department within the coming weeks.
State Secretary of Justice Ernie Simmons said that there were certain decisions that were made with the distribution of the staff within the force which the detectives did not agree to. He said the matter was fully explained to the union and a solution was found on how to deal with the scarcity of officers. He said one of the concerns of the officers was that they are overworking.

Philipsburg:---The leader of the NA/Heyliger/Laveist government during the Island Council meeting of May 11, 2010, after much prodding by the DP faction members reluctantly admitted that the Executive Council of St. Maarten has proposed a 1% Turn Over tax increase to balance the 2010 budget.
Island councilman Roy Marlin in a press release says that Commissioner Theodore Heyliger in his usual manner is not expressing any public opinion on this matter, meanwhile telling individual citizens that he is not in agreement with this proposal. Heyliger needs to stop the cat and mouse games that he has played in the past as a member of the DP, and still now while supporting the NA government, by stating privately that he didn't or doesn't agree with this or that. The matter of the directorate of ROB is a case in point.

"You either are part of the Executive Council or you are not." The Democratic Party reminds Heyliger that the Executive Council carries a collective responsibility and even if you vote against as he said he did with the ROB directors, he is part and parcel of Executive Council decisions.

If you don't agree with a proposal tabled in the Executive Council then "pick up your marbles and go home". That would show some backbone.
The NA/Heyliger Executive Council sent a letter to the CFT wherein they stated that their solution to balance the 2010 budget is a.o. an increase of the Turn over Tax from 3 to 4%. At no time did the letter state that this measure is for a 6 months period. At no time did the letter state that it is a NA only proposal.

Once the additional 1% goes into effect prices for the small man and woman will also increase, because TO Tax is passed on to the consumer however you turn or twist it. Once the prices of a loaf of bread, powder milk, soap, pampers or other basic items increase due to this "knee jerk" decision of the NA/Heyliger/Laveist coalition, do they think that after 6 months if -and this is a big if-, the Turn Over Tax is reduced that the prices will go back down?

The small man and woman will continue to have to absorb this increase and feel it in their pockets. Overall increase of goods, but no increase in the wages of the working man and woman.

If this government would stop globetrotting around the world, they can achieve considerable savings which can be put towards balancing the 2010 budget without having to burden the community at large with more taxes.

The UPP party or better called the UP Party has launched its 2010 campaign with at the helm TO, but the only thing going UP is the cost of living for the small man and woman. Thanks to the increase in the TOT or better said the "TO" Tax.

If Commissioner "TO" Heyliger wants to maintain some credibility in this community then he must state his position on the increase of the "TO" Tax.

He can't hide any longer behind the frivolous statement of "I was not present when this was done". He can't blame it on Sarah any more.
"It is not done yet Commissioner "TO" Heyliger, because the Central Government has not carried out the request of the Executive Council. You still have the opportunity to redeem yourself with the voters who put you in office under the Democratic Party's vanguard. Stand up and state your position on this very important issue. It's either fish or fowl.

The DP party has stated its position, no "TO" Tax increase, but
1. Slash the "luxuries" in the 2010 budget,
2. Check the calculations of "Staat B" of the budget (see letter of the DP faction of April 1, 2010, 3. Use the political power of 3 seats in the Antillean Parliament to demand a greater part of the revenue derived on St. Maarten. With the dismantling that has started, the Central government is remaining with a surplus of revenue collected on St. Maarten;

The leader of the NA has stated the NA's position, which is, come what may "TO" Tax will increase. Now we need to hear from "TO". No response by the honourable gentleman means "silence is consent". This monkey will definitely not be placed on the backs of the Democratic Party.

GREAT BAY,– The application process for Mobility Passes for the 2010 Hurricane Season is now in its final week and will conclude on Friday, May 21. Potential applicants from the business sector and vital organizations have less than five days to submit their request.

The pass allows the aforementioned groups to assess possible damage to their property after the passing of a hurricane.

For the 2010 season, the application form as well as information sheet can be downloaded from the Fire Department's website www.brandweersxm.net under the link "Hurricane Information."

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 application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management, located at Jackal Road 5, Cay Hill (behind the Sint Maarten Medical Center) before May 21, 2010, with all necessary documents attached.

Marigot: ---- Scores of gendarmes dressed in their riot gear secured Rue du Low Town on Tuesday night as the investigating judge as well as the lawyers representing the two murder suspects conducted the reconstruction of the gruesome murder of 21 year old Christopher Williams better known as Bicko. Williams was found dead in a house on Friday January 30 2009.
Information reaching SMN News states that the young man was shot with a shot gun while he was sleeping in a house belonging to the Segrado family. According to information reaching SMN News the victim was involved in a gang fight at the time he was killed.
The following day after the slaying the gendarmes arrested two men whom it is understood is from the island of St. Kitts. At the time of the arrest the gendarmes had conducted a house search and confiscated two guns and several cartridges.

...

Philipsburg: --- Four and a half months into the year 2010, the status of the island territory's budget must be classified as uncertain to say to the least. The Democratic Party does not subscribe to the notion of a handful of persons in the community, that the reason the government of Sint Maarten is acting so unprofessional and ad hoc is due to the pressure applied by the Democratic Party.
The National Alliance (formerly SPA) has been part of the government system of our island for-ever, as an opposition party with short stints of governing.
They must understand what is required to govern our island in these trying times and they have the government apparatus at their disposal.
Governing clearly takes more than the NA gave as an opposition party in the island council and the people are tired of hearing what the Democratic Party did or did not do as the No's motto for its failures.
One responsibility that the NA/Heyliger government cannot pin on the Democratic Party is the budget 2010, although even the representative on the CFT for Sint Maarten seemingly tried to defend (t) his government by alluding to the budget 2010 not having been prepared before the government changed in June 2009.
Of all people, this representative should know better and should make it clear that what governs the budget process of the island territory is the General Kingdom Resolution (AMVRB) # 512, which clearly stipulates that the island territory should submit its draft budget to the CFT by August 15 of the preceding year and have an approved budget by December 15th of that year as well.
The budget process was started in November 2009 with the handling of the draft budget as presented by the NA/Heyliger government to the Central Committee of the Island Council.
We do not want to at this time, go into the inaccurate account by government of their communication with the CFT as far as the budget is concerned and especially government's allegation that the CFT went along with them, only to pull the rug from under their feet midway the process.
When this correction was made to the budget and matters pertaining to Sint Maarten's country status were deleted from the budget on advice of the CFT, the government found a creative financing tool, which would have brought in 33 MILLION guilders additionally in taxes, so-called not collected.
The government that insisted they had hard evidence to substantiate this claim, has up until the day of today refused to divulge this hard evidence to the island council or the CFT. It is our belief that the government never had this substantiation to begin with.
As a result, the CFT disapproved of the budget after following the process of consultation as prescribed by the same AMVRB # 512.
We heard the story of 3 "wise men" coming to St. Maarten's assistance. Then information was leaked about government's alternative plan, an important component of this plan being the increase of the TO Tax with 1% and several cuts in the budget, from all indications primarily cuts in the tourism budget.
The CFT gave its nod of approval to this proposal it received from government, albeit with reservations. In a meeting with the island council and the CFT on May 12th, the government stressed the feasibility and the thoroughness of their proposal to increase the TO Tax; the government stressed the feasibility of making this increase only applicable to Sint Maarten (and not Saba and St. Eustatius). The Government stressed the central government's commitment to make this increase possible by June 1, 2010.
The Democratic Party:
1. Advised government from day one that their inclusion of items on the budget that related to country status lacked motivation.
2. That their assessment that 33 million guilders additionally could be collected in uncollected taxes was unsubstantiated and unrealistic.
3. That imposing an increase in TO Tax in such an ad hoc manner in these trying economic times tolls the death bell for business and consumers on St. Maarten.
4. That the central government is actually operating on a surplus presently that grows as the central government dismantles its operation.
5. That this surplus is also fed by St. Maarten through the collection of TOT, Transfer Tax, Foreign Exchange Fee (1%), gasoline excises etc., not to speak of the semi-government institutions such as BTP and SVB.
6. That this matter need not be complicated by suggesting St. Maarten gets an advance on its share of assets from the Netherlands Antilles.
7. That there are budget posts in the 2010 budget of the island territory that can be cut and or postponed, lowering the cost for government.
8. That incremental salary costs can be spread out more evenly.
Rather than bring this discussion to the island council where the representatives of the people can deliberate and come to a balanced decision, the government seems hell bent on making error after error and in the process embarrassing the people of Sint Maarten big time.
Again, the Democratic Party makes the call to government that before submitting any amendments to the budget, to sit with the island council and together come up with a plan that shows government's seriousness and comprehension of the complexity of fiscal and financial management of our island.

Philipsburg: ---- Prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed the arrest of one person for the murder of Angie Georges. According to information reaching SMN News the suspect is the brother of the deceased woman identified as Riviere George.
Mud said police have in custody a man identified as R.G. However, the public prosecutor made clear that he is not commenting on the ongoing investigation. Mud also did not confirm if "R.G" is related to the now dead woman whose body was found in her Sucker Garden home on April 23, 2010.
Police at first said the woman had died of natural causes but shortly after they launched a full scale investigation into the woman's death they subsequently said Georges was murdered.
SMN News learnt that Georges was arrested earlier this week and he appeared in court on Friday afternoon.

Philipsburg: --- The third motion of no confidence presented by the Democratic Party against finance commissioner Xavier Blackman has been accepted by the island council unanimously on Monday.
The motion against Blackman was the first agenda point on Monday's Island Council meeting, since the motion was presented some weeks ago and the council never got around to voting on it.
While Leader of Government William Marlin apparently said no to individual voting by members of the island council mistakenly as he was busy reading a document when the motion was read out by the island council chairman. Marlin said he is prepared to live with the consequences in order to respect the rules of order. When asked if his government has any intention of reinstating Blackman, Marlin said Blackman was never fired by the National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laveist government. He said the motion on Monday starts a procedure which has to be followed through.
According to Article 50 (A) of the ERNA rules of order the Democratic Party now has to file a motion to continue the process. That motion to vacate Blackman's seat has to go before the island council. It is understood that the National Alliance would then take the necessary steps to correct the situation facing Blackman then.
Marlin indicated to the island council that he responded by mistake thus they are prepared to live by the consequences for his error. At one point Marlin said he had said there would be individual voting. But Chairman of the island council Franklyn Richards told him that if he replayed the tape he would hear that he actually said no then he ratified the voting.
The other members of the National Alliance were shocked and embarrassed by the error especially since they all waited on Island Council member Louie Laviest to arrive at the A C Wathey Legislative hall prior to signing in for the meeting.
Even though the motion has been accepted Blackman can be re-appointed as commissioner of finance by members of the National Alliance and its supporting members Heyliger and Laviest.
In the meantime, Blackman would remain in his office to carry out his daily duties on behalf of the executive council.
Later the Democratic Party members raised several points of concerns when the council voted unanimously for the articles of incorporation for TELEM.
Again when the proposal came up voting the chairman asked if there were going to be individual voting and Marlin again responded by saying no, immediately after that the chair ratified the voting. Island councilman Roy Marlin said he was not given the opportunity to respond since he wanted to elucidate on the proposal prior to voting and idea supported by island council lady Sarah Wescot Williams and Maria Buncamper Molanus.
Leader of government William Marlin at that point attempted to explain what took place and supported the chair for the decision taken. He made clear that if the chairman was willing to make changes to accommodate the Democratic Party faction then he would have had to do the same thing with the motion and voting of no confidence against Blackman.

Philipsburg:----- The public prosecutor, judge of instruction and police officers of KPSSS conducted a house search at Back Street number 117 on Saturday between 4 and 6 pm. Police have arrested four persons while an arrest warrant has been issued for another suspect.
In a press release from Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson identified those arrested as A.F., K.C.F., S.G., J.P.S., while a warrant has been issued for M.N. Henson said police acted on information that came in to them concerning illegal activities at the location.
Henson said the five suspects were at the house when the search team reached the location but somehow M.N managed to escape the long arms of the law. Police confiscated three fire arms, several large packages of compacted marijuana, and three motorcycles.

Marigot:--- The 26 year old man who opened fire on residents of French Quarter last Tuesday night injuring four people was condemned to a psychiatric institution on May 23rd confirmed the gendarmerie.
A specialist evaluated the man's condition prior to him being transferred to the Guadeloupe institution. The gendarmes stated that the suspect was hospitalized until Saturday nursing a head injury.
The suspect was identified by neighbours as Calix Monton who lived in the neighbourhood since birth.

MARIGOT—Relatives, friends, villagers co-workers, taxi drivers and many persons on St. Martin/ St. Maarten is mourning the lost of Laurel Richards (55) better known as Yaya. The island's people were shocked beyond comprehension on Wednesday morning when the news broke of her sudden passing. Many of them rushed to the Emerald Funeral Home where the body was taken. Her body lay in the chapel for hours so that mourners could see for themselves that she is indeed gone to be with her maker.

The island has lost a cultural icon, and one that will be greatly missed. Several persons in the community have lost a role model and woman they considered as their very own mother. Those that knew Laurel would know that she loved people, cooking island food and maintaining St. Martin's culture was her passion. Her village and its people was the closest thing to her heart. Youths in the area and even those she met anywhere could depend on Laurel's motherly advice.
Laurel made sure she passed on the island's culture and cooking to several younger people who wanted to learn. There are times when she would just head for the hills with relatives and friends just to cook some island food. Her dumplings were everyone's favourite. Laurel would attract all hundreds of persons during the St. Louis fete which is always held under the tamarind tree.
Shaken by the sudden lost is her sister Anita Flanders- Richards who could hardly hold herself together. She said her sister was always careful and even though she would take care of everyone else she also took great care of herself. Flanders-Richards said only on Monday they were at the beach and Laurel had a good time, she showed no signs of illness.

According to Priscile Figaro, Laurel went to work at the La Samanna Hotel where she worked for years in housekeeping. Figaro said they were told that Laurel began feeling unwell and was preparing to return home when she collapsed in the hotel's office. Figaro said Laurel probably died of a massive heart attack and despite the efforts from the staff she passed away before the ambulance reached the hotel.

Just last year on Valentine's Day the Richards family was struck with tragedy when Laurel lost her son Luther was also died suddenly at the family home. It was clear that Laurel was still mourning the lost of her son who was a fire fighter at the time of his passing.
SMN News wishes the family strength in their time of bereavement.

GREAT BAY:--- The St. Martin folklorist Laurelle Richards, affectionately known island-wide as "Yaya," passed away on May 26, 2010 and will be laid to rest in Marigot on June 4. She was 55 years old.

Laurelle Richards was born on April 28, 1955 in Freetown, the first of nine children to Alvira Bryan and Albert Richards. At age 14, while she was attending elementary school, Laurelle obtained her sewing diploma from Clara Mingo. At age 16, she left the Girls School of Marigot to help her parents raise her brothers and sisters—which included making the family's clothes. At the time her father was a construction sub-contractor, and her mother worked in housekeeping at La Samanna resort.
In 1972, Laurelle began what she called her "first job training," making pizza and serving as a waitress at the Portofino restaurant/guesthouse at Mt. O'reilly. When her mother passed away in 1974, Laurelle found employment in housekeeping at La Samanna.
In 1988, after the death of her husband and now a mother herself, Laurelle obtained her taxi license. (She was still an independent taxi driver and worked at La Samanna at the time of her death.) In keeping with a deathbed promise to her mother to "always" keep her "brothers and sisters united," her family would gather "once a week" for dinner at each other's homes in Freetown, a hamlet of St. Louis.
In 1990, Laurelle founded the Cultural Women Association of Rambaud-Saint Louis to promote domestic knowledge of traditional cooking, folk and carnival costuming; and how herbs, ground provisions, and fruits were used in both villages and generally on the island. Around 2006, Laurelle became a founding member of the Rambaud St-Louis Fête Association, a cultural promotion group of which she was the president. On May 17, nearly 10 days before her passing both associations joined forces to hold the annual cook-out of traditional foods that Yaya was famous for organizing under or around an ancient tamarind tree in St. Louis. She called that "tamon" tree the "community center."
Schools and cultural organizations from both parts of St. Martin regularly invited Laurelle Richards to exhibit and talk about the nation's folklife. In 2002, with the recital of "The Frock," Laurelle's poems began to evolve out of what may be called her "Spoken Word" presentations. The story-filled dress that she wore also became more characteristic of her public performance persona. In 2009, she was a special guest poet at the Poetry in the Garden series, organized in Marigot by the arts and culture department of the Collectivité Territoriale.
In April 2010, Yaya appeared at Miss Ruby's cultural retreat in Friar's Bay and stunned audiences with her "modeling" of the "pantylette," stitching humor and sensual elements into an original vignette. Audience members who had seen her in Clara Reyes' record-attendance Vagina Monologues in 2007 and 2008, were already prepared for her style of dramatizing the "private" and "ordinary" parts of traditional St. Martin with extraordinary personal affect. Essentially, as a folklorist she projected the folklore aspect of the nation onto modernity, with pride and confidence.
Carnival, UNESCO Mother Language presentation, Fish Day, Boardwalk Mas on Great Bay Beach, Christmas fête at the Waterfront, like a village chief welcoming folks to the annual St. Louis food fair, our Yaya was there ... with us, for us. When we saw her coming, her eyes finding us in the crowd, looking upon us with a warm livingroom smile, we smiled back ... to memory, not in mockery nor mimicry but in that modest way of oldtime S'maatin people.
In her presence we did not have to find our way home, home came looking for us, found us, and never judged what we had become. And by the time she passed on in the procession or picnic, we knew, if only for a moment, that we came from far more grounded places than we've been made to believe, that we could be better than who we wanted to be when that solitary "want" was less than our best solidary selves.
Before her passing Laurelle Richards had collected her poems into a manuscript for publication by House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP) as her first book, which will be called The Frock & Other Poems. The team coordinated by HNP that has been working on various aspects of the Richards book include Minerva Dormoy, Rhoda Arrindell, Lenny Mussington, Roland Richardson, Sundiata Lake, Shujah Reiph, and Laura Richardson. A number of family members and friends that assisted Yaya typing the draft manuscript are acknowledged by her in the book.
When leading Caribbean Impressionist Roland Richardson painted Yaya's image on a larger-than-life canvas a few months ago, the village griot told the painter how she came to fashion her frock out of strips of colored cloth. The pieces of cloth reminded the artist of dolls as he painted Yaya's story about her own family and village life. The painting will grace the cover of the posthumous title.
In Yaya's upcoming book Richardson concludes his impression of the "culture woman" like this: "I saw that Laurelle had been transformed, had become a living embodiment of these generations of tiny dolls. Enrobed in this living fabric, nourished by the stream of multiple lives, she has become a living doll, mother to them all."
Many of us are so saddened by the sudden passing of Yaya, one of the nation's beloved cultural mothers. O "Death be not proud" with his one.
Rest In Glorious Peace, Laurelle "Yaya" Richards.

Marigot:--- The Director of the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital and the union UTS/UGTG are contesting the decision taken by COMEX to grant a contract to Clinic Choisy for home treatment (hospital a domicile). SMN News understands that the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital had 15 out of 16 votes when they presented their dossier to the CROS, but somehow the COMEX granted the contract to Clinic Choisy who only had four out of the sixteen votes. Questions are also being raised as to why the President of the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital Board Frantz Gumbs voted for CGM Basse Terre Clinic.
Conner said the President of the Collectivity Frantz Gumbs abused his power when he signed off as President of the LCF board instead of the President of the Collectivity. Concerns are also being raised about Gumbs support to the CGM instead of LCF Hospital. Conner said she already wrote a letter to President Frantz Gumbs asking for the conclusions of the COMEX meeting of March 23 and he responded to her and said he does not have reasons to have such documents.

According to Ramona Conner, board member of the UTS/UTG said there were three dossiers during the bidding, which are one from Louis Constant Fleming Hospital, Clinic Choisy which is located in Gossier and CGM from Basse Terre. She said the board of the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital took a decision to participate in the bidding process, something that the President of the Collectivity Frantz Gumbs knew about yet he chose to abuse his power and voted for another clinic without having a deliberation with the hospital board.
Several questions are being asked about Dr. Louis Jeffry absence from the COMEX meeting when the decision was taken to grant the contract to Clinic Choisy. SMN News learnt that Jeffry is sitting on the seat representing the Collectivity of Saint Martin in COMEX but Jeffry it is understood boycotted the meeting, while one of the vice presidents of the Collectivity of Saint Martin attended the meeting. "Even though this person attended the COMEX meeting and had a speech they could not vote on the bidding". Conner said.
In an invited comment Dr. Jeffry, fourth vice president of the Collectivity of Saint Martin confirmed he is a member of the COMEX board. When asked why he did not attend the meeting of March 23rd Jeffry said he was not invited to the meeting. He said that one of the other vice presidents was invited and that person attended the meeting.

A meeting is planned this Tuesday by the unions and doctors of the Louis Constant Fleming to follow up on the procedures to have the deliberations taken by the COMEX on March 23 annulled. SMN News learnt that the hospital director already wrote letters to IRS director requesting that the deliberation of March 23 be annulled and that the bidding process be done over.

Leader of the RRR Alain Richardson when asked for a comment said this matter will be addressed on May 11 during the territorial council meeting. Richardson said he has many questions about the outsourcing of the contract especially when it comes to when the public sector could make money it is outsourced to the private sector.

Philipsburg:- "We have to conclude that the government of Sint Maarten is facing some serious financial challenges" stated Island Councilwoman Sarah Wescot Williams in a press release. Wescot Williams said the SBDF (Small Business Development Foundation) has now joined the chorus of government not meeting its obligation to foundations; the saga of the on-and-off acceptance of BZV and FZOG cards by pharmacies and other medical institutions; University of St. Martin's latest financial dilemma. All foundations, mind you, that is on government's budget.
Another sign of government's financial woes is the government's decision to increase the TOT with 1 percent as reported.
The island council of Sint Maarten is yet to receive this proposal of the NA/Heyliger/Laveist government as any budget amendment must pass through the island council. It is only in this setting that the government can look the people of Sint Maarten in the eyes and defend its decision to increase taxes at this time. Wescot Williams said.
The argument that it is not the first time such a proposal has been made will not fly. Just like the work permit policy of January 2009 was to be part of a total package of measures to address labor issues of employers and employees alike, so was the proposal for a TOT increase part of a package that would have included economic stimuli for the business sector. After all, a most crucial component of the economy in these times is employment, which generates consumer spending and additional tax revenue.
Given the adverse affect of a tax increase in the current global financial environment, the DP administration in the past openly discarded this intention, because of its understanding of the effects of such on the economy of St. Maarten.
Better than any-one perhaps, the DP also understands the government's mitigating circumstances, however government's decision to increase taxes is not well thought out. It's not a balanced decision, but rather a knee-jerk reaction to its failed 2010 budget.
Was this what the 3-man team that came to assist St. Maarten advised?
The NA/Heyliger/Laveist coalition assumed government responsibilities, promising to execute the economic stimulus package. They have cleverly managed to abandon this entire matter of an economic stimulus package and no one uttered a word for have been taking for a ride by the government of St. Maarten.
And to imagine that the current Commissioner of Finance was one of the principals of the economic stimulus package.
But is the government really facing financial challenges? Notwithstanding the foregoing (USM, SBDF, SCDF, BZV/FZOG, TOT), it would appear not.
How else can it be explained that the Commissioner of personnel would travel with a 4-man delegation to Tallahassee to enlighten students. Tallahassee, a city where in the past few months the leader of government has gone twice to speak to students. One could then only imagine that the Commissioner of personnel would now have concrete and individual prospects for the Sint Maarten students. Was this the case? Absolutely not. Did the commissioner have a plan for the students to match their individual careers with the vacancies in government? He did not.
The government in responding to the DP faction in the island council announced an improved and revised incentive package for returning St. Maarten students. Where can this package be obtained, besides a vague reference by the Commissioner in an island council meeting? Is this package complete? Has it been provided to the students on paper? What are the conditions and who is eligible?
Can the government provide a report on this trip, rather than just a photo op? In plain St. Martin English: "How we looking?"
Bottom line: Is the government in a financial crisis?

Marigot:--- The Collectivité of St. Martin has finally obtained a decree for approval of road tax implementation and enforcement project, it will be possible to so once it has taken deliberation to formalize the project which the Decree relates to. Following a meeting with director of services, the Collectivité should abandon the annual change of licence plates and return to old formula of windshield stickers, which seems more sensible and in all case the only option applicable at this point in time. As we always said we are not opposed to the existence of a road tax if it is respectful of the law. Today it seems to be the case and we would like to stress that the legal way is the only way! No doubt that the credibility of the political leaders and the representation of State have suffered greatly after illegally harassing taxpayers.

The MOCSAM had already stepped into the breach to terminate the award of the first representation of our Collectivité at a national level to none St. Martiner, in competition with a local equally qualified and in defiance of all democratic rules. We had requested and obtained copies of sponsorships for candidates to this position as representative of St. Martin in the Economic, Social and environmental council, and it was found, contrary to the statements and writings of ousted President LC FLEMING and M. LACROIX delegate Prefect of the time, Mr. ARNELL had received more mentoring then Mr. FUENTES, but yet false memorandum stating the contrary was sent to ministry, misleading Madam Minister in order for Mr. Fuentes to be nominated as such. History repeats itself and today it is Mr. ROMNEY that is concerned. M. ROMNEY Robert, head of education department before the Collectivités of St. Martin and St. Barths, whom was denied the necessary human and material resources to carry out his mission but great efforts are mobilise in trying to remove him from this post in order to promote one from elsewhere. We are simply saying that this is unacceptable, it is a very bad signal to our youth in lack of role models and motivations and we have had enough! We will take the streets and advocate total blockage if this miserable policy should continue, including the stigma of our locals fully qualified and competent!

Kappror is a private company, but it is unacceptable that a company could be on strike since February 18th to this day without any concern of authorities. This is neither healthy nor worthy of our republic, nor our history. We are not interfering in internal affairs but it is time that solution be found to ensure that the company resume activities and that employees, mobilized ever since, regain dignity as fathers and mothers to face every day responsibilities. It is a heartfelt plea that we make for all government authorities and parties concerned to show sense of responsibility before it is too late.

The home hospitalization service (HAD) on our island attracts much attention. The president of the Collectivité, F. GUMBS, has signed a letter giving a strong endorsement to a project led by the health centre of Basse-Terre, on behalf of the Collectivité and as Chairman of the Board of the Hospital of St Martin. Today he would like to make believe of his surprise to the award of contract to another private clinic in Guadeloupe, waving an apology in the most sterile of all: "I was not aware of the proposed by the hospital in St. Martin". Mr. GUMBS, before talking in the name of others, as chairman of the board, it would be prudent to consult them and get their professional opinion. Strange is certain coincidence, how can we believe such excuse since, very coincidently, Semsamar is actually nourishing a plan for establishing a subsidiary "Semsamar santé" , offering among other home health care and within a more or less medium-term will propose HAD services, perhaps outsourcing some well-chosen private clinic that is not physically present on our island. (We will follow up ...)
The MOCSAM invites the public to be constant vigilance because enough is enough! Respect is a sine qua non of living together, social progress and economic development and we demand immediate respect and formally request an end to this hypocrisy toward the people of St. Martin.

GREAT BAY,–Sector Public Health, Social Development & Labour (VSA) Inspectorate, has been investigating the United States Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) recall of Children's Benadryl and Tylenol liquid medical products, and discovered that local distributors selling over-the-counter medicine, have complied with removing any recall medicine from store shelves.

The general recall entails more than 40-over-the-counter infants' and children's liquid medications.

Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson says that he can confirm that the Inspectorate of Public Health has been monitoring the recall of the products since the earlier part of May and that to date all of the products have been recalled to ensure the safety of the general public.

Some of the products recalled may have a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified on the bottle, while others may contain particles, while still others may contain inactive ingredients that do not meet internal testing requirements.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare issued the recall for children's versions of Benadryl, Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin and Zytec after consulting with the FDA. The recall according to the company based on media reports was not undertaken because of any adverse effects.

On May 5, 2010, a recall was issued by local distributor Manrique Capriles & Sons B.V.

The Inspectorate VSA advises parents and guardians who have any of the aforementioned products to stop giving them to their children as a precautionary measure.

The FDA also says that potential for serious medical problems is remote, but also advises consumers to stop using the medicine.

Persons can contact the Inspectorate VSA on 542-2059 for more information on the over-the-counter medicine listed below.

Concentrated Tylenol infant drops.
1. CONCENTRATED TYLENOL® INFANTS' DROPS 1/2 OZ GRAPE FLAVOR
2. CONCENTRATED TYLENOL® INFANTS' DROPS 1/2 OZ CHERRY FLAVOR
Children Tylenol suspensions
3. CHILDREN'S TYLENOL® SUSPENSION 2 OZ. CHERRY BLAST FLAVOR
4. CHILDREN'S TYLENOL® SUSPENSION 4 OZ. CHERRY BLAST FLAVOR
5. CHILDREN'S TYLENOL® SUSPENSION 4 OZ. BUBBLEGUM FLAVOR
Children Tylenol suspension plus
6. CHILDREN TYLENOL® PLUS SUSPENSION 4 OZ. COUGH & SORE THROAT CHERRY FLAVOR
7. CHILDREN TYLENOL® PLUS SUSPENSION 4 OZ. COUGH & RUNNY NOSE CHERRY FLAVOR
8. CHILDREN TYLENOL® PLUS SUSPENSION 4 OZ. FLU BUBBLEGUM FLAVOR
9. CHILDREN TYLENOL® PLUS SUSPENSION 4 OZ. COLD GRAPE FLAVOR
10. CHILDREN TYLENOL® PLUS SUSPENSION 4 OZ. COLD & ALLERGY BUBBLEGUM FLAVOR
11. CHILDREN TYLENOL® PLUS SUSPENSION 4 OZ. MULTI-SYMPTOM COLD GRAPE FLAVOR
12. CHILDREN TYLENOL® PLUS SUSPENSION 4 OZ. MULTI-SYMPTOM COLD GRAPE FLAVOR
Children Motrin suspension
13. CHILDREN'S MOTRIN® SUSPENSION 4 OZ. BERRY FLAVOR
Children Benadryl allergy
14. CHILDREN'S BENADRYL® ALLERGY BUBBLEGUM FLAVORED LIQUID 4 OZ.

Philipsburg:----The Lions Club Multiple District 60 Convention Parade was held Friday morning through Philipsburg as part of the on-going Lions Regional Convention at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, May 19th-23rd. Countries that were represented by Lion members in the parade included Anguilla, Virgin Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, French St. Martin and finally Saba & St. Maarten who paraded for the last time under the Netherlands Antilles Flag.

Philipsburg: --- Sir Robert Velasquez better known as Bobby Velasquez would have to spend the next eight days behind bars as Judge Van Veen has decided to grant the prosecutor their request to extend Velasquez time in pre-trial detention as detectives investigate the case. Attorney at law Jairo Bloem said that the extension was not granted based on the evaluation of the files instead the judge only needs one statement which would classify the person as a suspect. Bloem said based on the judicial system the public prosecutor gets the opportunity to request two days extension, then eight days so that the detectives could investigate the case. He said during these days there is no evaluation of the facts of the case. "At this time the public prosecutor only have to provide grounds to do an investigation and say they have reasonable suspicion against anyone to keep them behind bars." Bloem said.
Bloem said it is extremely exceptional that the judge would rule against the office of the public prosecutor in this phase of the investigation. He said that in 99.9 % of all cases the extensions granted and the suspect would be released prior to the ten days if the public prosecutor does not agree. This does not say absolutely anything on whether or not someone is guilty. It does not even mean that there are concrete indications that a person might have committed a crime.
Velasquez was taken before the judge of instruction just before midday on Friday. Strangely the judge did not make his ruling known immediately on whether or not he would have extended the pretrial detention, as is customary.
Attorney at law Jairo Bloem told SMN News outside the courthouse after the procedural hearing that the judge would have rendered his verdict by 2pm on Friday.
Bloem later notified SMN News that judge Van Veen ruled that Velasquez would have to remain behind bars for the next 8 days just like any other suspect.
He said the detectives neither the prosecutor's office did not invite his client to the police station to question him prior to his arrest. Bloem said that in modest opinion the documents in the present file contains enough indication that justify an acquittal, if his client would be charged of having committed an offense. He stated that there are crucial contradictions the story of the alleged victim. He also confirmed that the police are presently questioning the witnesses that Velasquez provided to them to substantiate his story. He said he felt the measures used against his client are rather unnecessary but it is a prerogative of the public prosecutor office. Bloem said in his sincere opinion he believes that after the police finish questioning Velasquez they should set him free as they continue to investigate case since this alleged incident occurred more than two months ago. Bloem said even if the judge wanted to release his client it would be very difficult for him to do so based on what the law prescribes. It basically takes within our judicial system a public prosecutor to believe the complaint of one person, even if that complaint is only substantiated by what the persons says and has told to third parties, without any shed of additional proof, to lock someone up for ten days. One would hope that consideration is given to the consequences for a person, especially when dealing with persons that have earned their stripes in society.
Asked if his client has filed any counter claim regarding the alleged extortion of 1.5 million dollars against the alleged victim, Bloem said his client did not file any counter claim as yet however, his client is considering to file a complaint against the person who filed a false complaint against him.
The alleged victim in this case is the great niece of the alleged suspect. However, at the police station on Friday there were two of Velasquez sisters one carrying a poster saying "Bobby your sister is standing behind you 110%". Rosemarie Velasquez told SMN News that this ordeal is tearing the entire family apart. She said she knows her brother and she also know that he did not touch anyone inappropriately. Also speaking to SMN News was Catherine Hodge another sister of Bobby Velasquez, who wanted to know why SMN News published the incident that occurred 27 years ago, claiming the life of Velasquez 6 year old daughter.

Philipsburg: --- Commissioner of ROB, GEBE, and Environmental Affairs Theo Heyliger has pulled his support from the current National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laviest executive council. SMN News learnt that Heyliger met with some of his supporters over the weekend where he informed them he intended to leave government to form his own party for the upcoming country election.
On Monday afternoon after the island council meeting was adjourned Heyliger began cleaning out his office. Even though the commissioner has taken those steps he is yet to officially notify the chairman of the island council Franklyn Richards. SMN News understands that Heyliger told the chairman of the island council on Monday afternoon that he would submit his letter of resignation during the course of this week.
SMN News has been reliably informed that the Governor and chairman of the island council was fully aware on Monday morning that Heyliger was about to pull his support from government and he is just waiting for Heyliger to follow the regular administrative procedures.
SMN News understands that Heyliger claims to have issues with the current executive council because they have voted on removing the management of ROB based on the SOAB report. The source said the commissioner has refused to prepare an advice for the executive council for the contractors who won the garbage collection bid.
It is understood that four of the existing garbage collectors submitted their bid for the collection of garbage but Clean St. Maarten has lost the bid. It is alleged that the owner of Clean St. Maarten is close friends with the commissioner and he is angry at the outcome of the bidding.
The source said that Heyliger was purposely delaying the process to see if he could manipulate the system to further include Clean St. Maarten in garbage collection.
In an email to SMN News when this story was published Heyliger said the advice for the contract for the garbage collection would be submitted to the executive council within the next two or three weeks. The commissioner further said that the executive council has decided to extend the current contracts to up to June 2010.
Another concern they said Heyliger has is about the 1% turn over tax increase the National Alliance has proposed. While Heyliger was heard saying he would not support such he is yet to make known his opinion on the increase of turn over tax, neither has he given a suggestion as to how government should balance the 2010 budget.
SMN News further learnt from well placed sources that Heyliger has been trying his best to convince independent island council member Louie Laviest to throw down the government, but Laveist has refused to do so.
The source said they had the opportunity to read some of the text messages Heyliger sent to Laveist hoping to convince him to destabilize government. However, Laveist would not confirm neither has he denied if the commissioner was trying to convince him to take away his support from the current government and to join him in his dream party. Reacting on this statement Heyliger said he never sent any text messages to Laveist neither has he spoken to the embattled island council member about pulling his support from the National Alliance.
Some political pundits said that Heyliger has to create a problem with the National Alliance so that he can begin his political campaign. They said the Democratic Party does not have a seat in Parliament and their members are busy resigning and as such Heyliger has to end his marriage with the current government to gain credibility. "How can a man be in a house with his wife and call her a bitch?" Heyliger will be running against the National Alliance in country election so to campaign against them and be in the same house with them would not be good says the political strategist.
While several persons had doubts that Heyliger would leave the current executive council since he did everything to stay in government. One politician said Heyliger would not give up the harbor neither would he bring an end to his road projects. "Its all about who would control the harbor and Theo would not give that up said another pundit.
In the email the commissioner said he wants to see what SMN News would write when he is not part of the decision making. Asked if that is a confirmation that he intends to pull his support from the current executive council and if is the reason he cleaned out his office on Monday, the commissioner said he would not comment on that.
It should be also noted that even though Heyliger has formed the current government with the National Alliance and Independent member of the island council Louie Laveist a governing accord is yet to be signed by him and the leader of the National Alliance.

Philipsburg:---- Teachers and staff of the Sundial school are angry at the appointment a coordinator and Assistant principal of the Sundial School. The selected candidate it is understood is from the Netherlands while a local applied for the same position and was not selected.
In an email to SMN News the teachers said that the general director of MPC/ Sundial School appointed someone else even though the applicant it is alleged did not apply within the timeframe that is set by the school board. SMN News confirmed that the local candidate fits the criteria and has more teaching experience and the same types of diplomas as the selected candidate.
According to the information sent to SMN News stated that the new general director who was appointed in 2009 is making drastic changes which are not pleasing to the teachers and staff.
The teachers stated that it appeared that the general director is not pleased with the performance of the other candidate whom they said was taking training for the new position and he campaigned with his friend so that person could be selected for the position. SMN News contacted the school's principal Mirelle Regales for a comment on the allegations. Regales said that she was not willing to comment on the selection since the process was handled by the school board. Efforts made to contact the general director proved futile up to press time.

Philipsburg: --- The detective department is calling on anyone especially relatives of a man who has been identified as Kevin Duggan Woods, born in Nevada U.S.A. on April 10th 1978 to visit the Philipsburg Police Station to claim and identify his body.
Police discovered Woods body shortly after 02.00 am on Monday morning on Amarrilys Road Mary's Fancy.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said police received several phone calls from residents of the area who said they heard someone in the bushes calling out for help. Henson said according to the residents the man was calling for help but no one was able to see him since he was in the bushes and apparently was moving downward in the bushy area.
The police spokesman said when police reached the scene they heard movement in the bushes but they too could not see the person due to the darkness and heavy rain that was pouring at the time.
Henson said the fire department was called to give assistance and they managed to cut open a track where the man's lifeless body was found. Henson said when the body was recovered he had minor scratches and bruises which he probably got while moving in the bushes. Henson said the body was taken out of the bushes and brought to a nearby yard where paramedics tried to revive the victim to no avail. He said the man was pronounced dead shortly after but the cause of death was not determined. Henson further explained that the man seems to die suspiciously and his body has since been confiscated as the investigations continue.
Henson said at daybreak on Monday police and K-9 officers conducted an intense search of the area. During this search a small amount of cash, a VISA credit card and an American drivers license of the victim were found and confiscated
The investigation into this case has just started and any family member or anyone who knows the victim and who can identify him are asked to immediately get in contact with the detective dept. at Telephone phone 54-22222 ext. 225/222/ 224.