POINTE BLANCHE:--- The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority (SLAC) would like to remind the community and maritime sector that it will be carrying out maintenance works on the Causeway Bridge between October 7 and October 11.
During Causeway maintenance works, maritime traffic will have to use the Sandy Ground Bridge in order to exit the Simpson Bay Lagoon (section French side of the lagoon) in connection with the Causeway Bridge which will be closed to maritime traffic for five days.
There will also be temporary road closures during this period of approximately one hour.
The Causeway temporary road closures will be as follows: Monday, October 7 to Friday, October 11 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The Simpson Bay Bridge will maintain its regular opening times for maritime traffic.
The maritime sector is also advised to take note of the maritime closure in relation to the Causeway Bridge and to inform their clients.
The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority apologizes for any inconvenience caused.
The preventative maintenance works on the bridge are necessary in order to ensure its proper working condition and is part of the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority asset management plan.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Fire Department kicked off on Tuesday, October 1st Fire Prevention Month under the theme, “Think Fire Safety” along with its safety partners.

The objective is to raise fire safety awareness, and help to ensure your home, business, school and family are protected.

Fire Prevention Month is an opportunity to educate and talk about fire safety across the board.

One of the main events is an Open House on Constitution Day, Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Fire Department & Ambulance Building in Cay Hill from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

The Open House entails various activities, games, fire prevention educational sessions, expo of fire safety products, safety partners display, obstacle course, fire truck ride, bouncing castle, pool, etc.

The Open House will conclude with a fireworks display. The Open House is organized together with the Fire Fighters Foundation and the Student Support Services Division.
Food and drinks will be on sale.

A special feature of the day will be a panel discussion that will be carried later by the Department of Communication (DCOMM) via its public information mediums.

Other stakeholders involved in the Open House besides the Fire Department Sections, Ambulance, Fire Fighters Foundation Student Support Services Division and DCOMM, is the Sint Maarten Police Department (KPSM), Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), Vendors of Fire Safety products and services.

The 2024 Fire Prevention Month coincides with Fire Drills that are organized by the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS), who will be coordinating schools’ drills two times per day at 21 participating schools with the support of the Fire Department. These drills started in the week of September 23rd and will continue until the end of October.

The Fire Department hopes to see you on October 14th at the 2024 "Think Fire Safety" Open House.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, October 4th, NV GEBE welcomed a delegation from the Government of the Netherlands, the Government of St. Maarten, and the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) for a constructive meeting and tour of the Power Plant.

This visit, led by Troy Washington, Temporary Manager NV GEBE, along with Anthony Hodge, Power Plant Manager and Patrick Drijvers, Distribution Manager, underscored the vital importance of the company's operations and far-reaching impacts locally and internationally.

"With our shared vision for a revitalized NV GEBE, it is extremely important for our Kingdom and local government partners to fully understand our current circumstances, as well as our relentless dedication to explore and execute solid solutions," shared Washington.

The delegation from the Government of the Netherlands Kingdom included the following representatives:
- Hon. Zsolt Szabó, State Secretary Kingdom Relations and Digitalization
- Roald Lapperre, General Director Kingdom Relations
- Saskia de Reuver, Director of Kingdom Relations, Nations
- Edson Hato, Representative of the Netherlands in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten
- Tommie Overkamp, Political Assistant
- Stella Dagelet, Senior Policy Officer
- Karin Fraai, Spokesman Kingdom Relations
- Kim Sambo, Communication Advisor VNACS
- Ezzie Cijntje, Senior Policy Officer Protocol and Communication RCN
- Evencia Carty, Policy Officer Protocol en Communication

The St. Maarten Prime Minister's delegation included:
- Hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Luc Mercelina
- Hon. Minister VROMI, Patrice Gumbs
- Secretary General COM, Cassandra Janssen
- Secretary General VROMI, Kenson Plaisimond
- Chief of Staff PM/Minister AZ, Stuart Johnson

The National Recovery Program Bureau's delegation included:
- Claret Connor - Director NRPB
- Abel Knottnerus - Director of Operations NRPB
- Ronald Halman - Steering Committee member
- Elozona Ochu - Senior Program Advisor - NRPB

Productive discussions were held regarding the company's current technical operations, capacity shortages, and essential solutions (i.e., the mini-10MW and mid-term-20 MW Power Plants). The ability to meet St. Maarten's increasing electricity demands with ongoing development and population growth was among the top points raised by State Secretary Zsolt Szabó during these discussions. NV GEBE's team reiterated that the incoming Power Plants, over the mid-and long-term, are projected to surpass the consumer capacity.

Also paramount in these discussions was the necessary funding support required for the planned improvements, including NV GEBE's vision for the impending solar energy, as proposed in the report by Energynautics GmbH.

With NV GEBE's Power Plant at the center of attention, the official delegates also toured the facilities and experienced the engine halls first-hand, with review of the ongoing maintenance and repairs. The tour culminated at the new Power Plant MW-20 with a detailed overview of the progressive property developments. St. Maarten's Hon. Prime Minister, Luc Mercelina, reaffirmed the anticipated timeline for completion of PP MW-20. Based on NV GEBE's estimated timeframe, the project is being expedited to be fully operational by November, barring any unforeseen challenges and/or shipping delays.

"We are truly grateful for the support extended by the Governments of the Netherlands, St. Maarten and the NRPB thus far," said Washington. "It is through these collaborative efforts that the improvement of NV GEBE's Power Plant remains a top priority on behalf of the community of St. Maarten."

PHILIPSBURG:--- In response to MP Roseburg's call for more transparency and accountability regarding the management of St. Maarten's Crime Fund, MP Omar E.C. Ottley has expressed his strong support for Roseburg's push to allocate the fund toward community project initiatives. Ottley pointed out a general concern that the Crime Fund appears only to be used to destroy locals to the detriment of local communities while its true potential remains untapped.
Citing the success of Curacao's crime prevention strategy, where nearly 30 million Netherlands Antillean guilders have been funneled into 18 distinct projects focused on education, sports, and community engagement, Ottley questioned why St. Maarten had yet to implement similar strategies. He highlighted that Curacao's initiatives show what we can achieve when crime funds are used for prevention and development rather than punitive measures.
"Curacao is showing us that crime prevention goes beyond arrests and convictions. It's about building communities before the crime happens," Ottley stated. "Here in St. Martin, we're sitting on millions, and yet our Crime Fund has done little more than destroy our locals rather than build them up."
"There have been far too many instances where the Crime Fund seems mainly used to destroy our locals. This is why the people of St. Maarten feel the fund has too often been tied to destructive outcomes for the island's residents," said MP Ottley.
He expressed concern that there are several instances where assets are seized and go into the Crime Fund, but when the prosecution loses cases, the government is left to foot the bill while the money in the fund remains untouched. "This is not justice, and it's certainly not how we should use these resources."
He reiterated the need for the fund to support educational programs, sports initiatives, job creation, and rehabilitation efforts to reduce crime and provide meaningful opportunities for the youth.
Amongst the recommendations made by MP Ottley is to Establish and fund community centres that offer after-school activities, sports, arts, and educational programs to keep youth engaged in positive activities. He also recommended allocating funds to establish and support neighborhood watch initiatives and funding rehabilitation programs that assist former offenders in reintegrating into society. "This could include job placement services, counseling, and housing assistance, which help prevent recidivism by offering former inmates a second chance."
"We need to start seeing real investments in our people before they become statistics," Ottley said. "The Crime Fund should not just be used to pay bills or seize assets. It should be used to enhance our country and give our communities the resources they need to thrive," stated MP Ottley.