PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Melissa D. Gumbs was pleased to share that Culinary Instructor Chef Renata de Weever and Junior Chef Jaenanena Joseph of the National Institute for Professional Advancement secured 3^rd place in the Nevis Mango Festival Chef Competition on Sunday, 5 July 2026.

Gumbs had traveled to Nevis upon invitation of the Nevis Tourism Authority to participate in one of the island’s premier cultural events. The Nevis Mango Festival boasts several events and culinary experiences focused around the over 40 varieties of mango grown on the island. Each dish and drink sold and served over the five days of the festival incorporates mango in some way. Sunday’s cooking competition was no different.

“Chefs de Weever and Joseph were given two mystery baskets, as were all other chefs,” Gumbs explained. “The first mystery basket was based around a plant-based dish, with green banana and green soursop as the primary ingredients, and of course, mango. I was skeptical about what could be created from that, but that’s why I’m not a chef. Junior Chef Joseph drove the development of that dish, an amazing display of her talent and self-awareness as a young chef.”

The second mystery basket held a bigger challenge: conch. Participants had 30 minutes to sort out a dish that boasted a tender, mango-infused conch offering; as if that was not challenging enough, with 20 minutes to go, another mystery ingredient was introduced, adding an additional 15 minutes. The new ingredient: ground coffee.

“At that point I thought, they must be crazy,” Gumbs said. “St. Maarten supporters were wondering, how do you blend coffee, mango and conch? But ultimately, I saw Chef Joseph look at it, nod, and then Chef de Weever returned her nod, and I knew they had it.”

This year’s Chef Competition featured celebrity judge Chef Eric Adjepong. Chef Adjepong was a Top Chef Season 16 finalist and has appeared on numerous cooking shows across various networks, and is also a published author. With three other judges, after two rounds of competition, St. Maarten placed third, with Anguilla in 2^nd place and Nevis rounding it off as 1^st place winners.

Gumbs applauded both chefs for their adaptability, creativity, and professionalism throughout the competition, expressing her gratefulness at being able to travel alongside them to the Mango Festival.

“Growth is about going up against others with more experience, more time in the game,” she stated. “This type of regional connection and collaboration has always been important to me, as I believe we have some of the greatest creative culinary minds in the world, circulating right here in the Caribbean. I’m incredibly proud of this first showing at Nevis Mango Festival, and I look forward to future participation of St. Maarten’s culinary expertise, as well as other neighboring islands.”

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), through its Youth Health Care Baby Wellness Clinic, is hosting a vaccine outreach for community members on Thursday, July 9.

The vaccine outreach is primarily geared towards children who have not yet received their vaccines. If parents have missed recent vaccine appointments, CPS encourages them to take advantage of this opportunity for children ages 2 months to 17 years.

Parents and guardians can bring their children and teenagers to the clinic at the Vineyard Office Park on Thursday, July 9 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  You should also bring along your child’s vaccination record. 

The vaccines that are provided include: DTaP-IPV-Hib (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, and Poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B), Hepatitis B, PCV13 (Pneumococcus Conjugate Vaccine 13-valent), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), DT-IPV (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Poliomyelitis), and HPV (Human Papillomavirus).

For those who would like additional information to verify their child(ren) status or would like to make an appointment, you can call 721-542-3003 or message CPS via WhatsApp 721-520-4163.

Vaccination is essential in preventing a wide range of childhood diseases and significantly reduces the risk of illness, disability, and death.

These include conditions such as cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, diarrhea, rubella, and tetanus.

CPS also highlights the importance of the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for girls between the ages of nine and 17. This vaccine offers long-term protection against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women, making early vaccination a vital preventive measure.

Maintaining routine vaccination coverage is crucial. According to PAHO, gaps in vaccination can leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases, and particularly those with weakened immune systems. Ensuring full immunization not only protects individuals but also strengthens community immunity.

CPS urges parents and guardians to treat vaccination records with the same importance as other essential documents, such as passports or identification, ensuring they are up to date and safely stored.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Tax Administration is pleased to welcome five students participating in the Business Outreach and Placement Program (BOPP), organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), for the month of July.

As part of their placement, the students will be assigned to the Business Unit and Income Tax Unit, where they will gain practical workplace experience while learning about the day-to-day operations of the Tax Administration.

“Investing in our youth is investing in the future of Sint Maarten,” said Mrs. Sharon Washington, Section Head, Business Unit. “Through programs like BOPP, we are able to provide students with valuable exposure to the workplace while introducing them to the many opportunities available within the tax sector. We hope this experience inspires them to explore future educational and career opportunities, build their confidence and skills, and gain a better understanding of public service.”

The Tax Administration wishes Christopher Williams, Jada George, Norris Marlin, Tah’Jenique Baron, and T’Saiyna Cristian a successful and rewarding placement experience.

~Irion, Lewis, De Weever, and Kotai challenge the Justice Ministry on priorities, police resources, legislation, and the protection of lives.~

PHILIPSBURG:---  Parliament's urgent meeting on the increase in traffic accidents and road safety concerns intensified Tuesday afternoon as Members of Parliament Ardwell Irion, Lyndon Lewis, Ludmila de Weever, Viren Kotai and Dimar Labega challenged Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling on her presentation, calling for stronger leadership, greater transparency, improved funding and immediate action to address the country's growing road safety crisis.

While each MP approached the issue from a different perspective, they shared one common message: identifying the problems is no longer enough. Parliament now wants concrete solutions.

Irion: "Your presentation was basically, 'Members of Parliament, help me.'"

Former Finance Minister Ardwell Irion opened his contribution by saying that, while listening to the Minister's presentation, he felt she was sending Parliament a distress signal.

"I started to see blinking, blinking and tapping," Irion remarked. "I realized what you were telling me was, 'Help me, help me.' Your whole presentation was basically, 'Members of Parliament, I need help.”

Irion questioned the Minister's repeated appeals for Parliament to amend the budget to fund road safety initiatives, arguing that if the government considered these measures a priority, they should already have been included in the draft budget approved by the Council of Ministers.

He pointed to previous government expenditures that proceeded without Parliament's prior approval and questioned why funding could not similarly be found for measures designed to save lives.

"I don't believe the government wants help," Irion said. "If the government wanted help, we would already have the legislation and the priorities before Parliament."

Irion asked the Minister to provide Parliament with a list of legislation currently being prepared by the Ministry of Justice and identify areas where Members could assist in modernizing existing laws.

He also called on the Minister to work with Parliament on amendments to strengthen the Justice budget and asked her to publicly support Members seeking to introduce those amendments during the upcoming budget debate.

Turning to the Police Force, Irion questioned reports that officers purchase equipment such as batons, boots and uniforms with their own money and asked whether reimbursement funds exist within the Ministry's budget.

"Our officers deserve more than gratitude," he said, urging the Minister to ensure frontline personnel receive the equipment needed to perform their duties.

Lewis: "I haven't heard a plan."

Former Justice Minister Lyndon Lewis said he had prepared approximately 40 questions before entering Parliament but abandoned many of them after listening to the Minister's presentation.

"I haven't heard any plans," Lewis declared.

"The Minister came here to tell Members of Parliament what we need to do."

Lewis rejected suggestions that outdated legislation prevents authorities from investigating fatal traffic collisions, arguing that existing criminal laws already provide investigators with sufficient authority in many circumstances.

Drawing on his own experience as both a police officer and former Minister of Justice, Lewis maintained that investigators already possess methods to establish impairment, including physical sobriety assessments and blood testing where appropriate.

He also questioned why no legislative initiatives originating from the Ministry of Justice had yet reached Parliament despite the Minister's repeated calls for legal reform.

"What law initiatives have you brought forward as Minister of Justice for the betterment of this country?" Lewis asked.

Lewis then turned to the operation of the Police Force itself, requesting information on recruitment, staffing shortages and resignations.

He questioned why the force continues to operate significantly below its approved staffing complement and asked how many officers have resigned over recent years.

He further requested information on officers currently under investigation, officers remaining away from work due to employment disputes, and recruitment efforts aimed at rebuilding the organization.

Lewis also asked how many infrastructure reports the Traffic Department has submitted identifying dangerous road conditions requiring attention.

De Weever: "Show Parliament the full picture."

Former Minister Ludmila de Weever focused on the budget process itself.

She described one of the Minister's most important disclosures as the revelation that updated traffic legislation had stalled because government failed to settle an outstanding invoice.

De Weever said Parliament cannot properly exercise its budgetary responsibilities if ministers fail to disclose pending obligations and operational obstacles.

"When you come to present the budget, show us the full picture," she said.

"If you don't tell us what is outstanding, how do you expect Parliament to know?"

She urged all ministers—not only the Justice Minister—to provide Parliament with complete information during budget discussions, including unpaid invoices, unfinished projects and legislative delays.

According to De Weever, only then can Parliament make informed decisions regarding funding priorities.

Kotai proposes dedicated road safety funding

MP Viren Kotai sought to move the discussion toward long-term funding solutions.

He proposed introducing a US$20 visitor driver's permit fee for tourists renting vehicles on the Dutch side of the island, similar to systems already implemented elsewhere in the region.

Based on annual rental vehicle estimates, Kotai calculated the measure could generate approximately US$3.5 million annually, funding additional VKS officers, expanded traffic enforcement and transportation improvements without increasing costs for residents.

Kotai also requested clarification on the legal process governing deportation when criminal proceedings remain active, and asked what mechanisms exist to ensure that convicted offenders ultimately return to serve court-imposed sentences when necessary.

Labega urges collaborative solutions

Government MP Dimar Labega offered a different perspective, thanking the Minister for what he described as a detailed and informative presentation.

Labega agreed that road safety is an issue requiring cooperation among multiple ministries and shared his own recent experiences witnessing dangerous driving behavior.

He recounted narrowly avoiding a serious accident after warning a pedestrian about an approaching speeding scooter and expressed concern about motorists overtaking stopped school buses while children are crossing the road.

Labega argued that reckless driving requires clearer legal definitions, stronger enforcement and tougher penalties that also hold vehicle owners accountable.

"I like to take things from a positive standpoint," Labega said.

"Let's look at what we can take positively from the presentation and expedite whatever needs to be done in a rapid fashion."

Focus turns to implementation

As the afternoon session concluded, Members of Parliament made clear that while they acknowledged the Minister's explanation of the challenges facing the Justice Ministry, they expect those challenges to be followed by concrete legislative proposals, realistic funding solutions and measurable improvements in road safety.

The debate will continue as Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling responds to the questions and proposals raised by Members during the first round of deliberations.