PHILIPSBURG:--- In recent months and in the past year, there have been numerous attacks on the heritage of Sint Maarten culture, our intangible and tangible culture. Monuments and heritage sites are being tampered with or targeted for destruction without the proper legal procedures.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth of Sport (MECYS), I, Drs. Rodolphe Samuel, express my gratitude to all those who have called about the situation at the old Simpson Bay Bridge and other heritage sites. I beseech the public to remain vigilant about our monuments.

Just recently and quite unfortunately, the Ministry has been called upon to address numerous ongoing situations such as the illegal renovation works taking place at L ’Escargot Restaurant property, the demolition of a historical ruin in Cole Bay, dumping of debris on the old Simpson Bay Bridge and the destruction of historical boulders at the former Emilio Wilson Plantation property in Cul de Sac.

“These are people who have been received with open arms yet fail to respect the very island that offers them a safe haven and sustenance. Our very own Sint Maarten people have been irresponsible with regard to our cultural traditions and monuments.

“We have to bring value to our heritage and culture, and I hereby remind and request the public to continue to be vigilant and alert. If you see something, do call the Ministry of Education Culture Youth and Sport immediately 520-5340.

“I am urging all residents, visitors, and citizens who have a love for Sint Maarten to join the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport in its mission to safeguard the tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage of the people of Sint Maarten. We cannot do this without you; although our resources may be limited, our will is strong! Each of us must do our part in preserving what is ours for the future generations to come,” says Minster of ECYS drs. Rodolphe Samuel.

CULTURE, TRADITONS, and HERITAGE is everyone’s business. Yours, Mines, Everyone!
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that our history is preserved for the next generation.
We need our partners. We need alliances in the community to be extra vigilant with our trees, with our stonewalls, with our buildings, our wells, our traditions.
We are thankful to all of those who have been calling the Department of Culture and ministry to report on the destructions of relevant historical sites.
We ask for your continued support to be vigilant to pay attention.
There is a monument ordinance, and processes and procedures are in place.
There are laws in place, fines, and jail time for individuals and or companies and organizations that violate our cultural patrimony.

The following is the process when applying for a monument permit.
Requests for obtaining a Monument Permit in accordance with the National Monument Ordinance (Monumenten Landsverordening, AB 2013, GT no. 336)
It is prohibited to touch a registered monument without a license from the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, or violate any of the conditions laid down in such a license in whole or in part if it involves:
1) breaking down or moving.
2) destroying or damaging.
3) alteration in any fashion.
4) restoration, usage, or allowed usage in a manner whereby the registered monument is defaced or put at risk.
A permit, as referred to above, must be requested in writing and addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (Soualiga Blvd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten). The Minister decides on the request within six months after receipt of the written submission. If a decision is not taken within six months and the applicant is not notified or informed of such, the request shall be deemed to have been granted.
Even if a historical site or artifact is uncovered, you are legally required to report this to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

To determine whether a project requires a monument permit, the applicant can submit the attached monument permit request form. For more detailed information containing general conditions, please refer to the National Ordinance containing general conditions on Monuments by the Government of Sint Maarten, which can be found at https://lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl/CVDR319628/2.
As minister responsible for monuments, I am hereby reminding the public of the monument ordinance and the requirement of the license prior to works being done on a monument.
The further destruction of our heritage will not be tolerated, and anyone seen violating the articles of the monument ordinance will face legal consequences.
Once again, we thank you for your continued support. If you're going to do any excavations and you come across something in question. Contact the department of culture or VROMI inspection. They in turn will call the relevant experts.

“Only together we can save our cultural heritage!”

POINT BLANCHE:--- 20 stevedores working for St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV (SSS) completed six days of training carried out by the Institute for Industrial Solutions (IIS) led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Trainer Osric Forrest and Technical Expert/Assessor Radcliffe Spence.
Lilian Hohl, CMA CGM's local area representative, presented the certificates in the presence of George Pilgrim, President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring. CMA CGM is the third-largest shipping company in the world and one of the port’s biggest customers.
Each stevedore has completed training and assessment activities and retained the required knowledge and competencies outlined in The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Safety Standard 29 CFR 1910-178 guidelines for General Industry and Stevedoring Foundation Skills Training Standards.
Each stevedore was awarded a certificate of competence in Stevedoring Foundation Skills—Level 1, a certificate of training in Fundamentals of OHS for Maritime Port Operations, and a certificate of training in Lashing and Unlashing Operations.
Businessman George Pilgrim, President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV, said he is very proud of what the seasoned Stevedores have accomplished. Pelgrim initiated the initiative with the Institute for Industrial Solutions for a program that would ‘Create the Total Port Worker.’
The training started on April 5 and concluded on April 10.
“This newly forged relationship between IIS for workforce development solutions and performance management and SSS is designed to improve the company’s performance further and adhere to international standards, maintain high employee morale, and create a long-term formal structure for training, employee development, and talent management along with leadership development in the areas that we provide services in such as maritime transportation, warehousing, and distribution.
“This training and workforce development is part of Intermar Group of Companies' long-term strategic plan to increase investment in human resource care and development, thus creating a sustainable workforce that is part and parcel of our national human resource advancement,” Pilgrim said.
Maritime transportation and allied services play a vital role in ensuring citizen satisfaction, the development of tourism products, and the efficient delivery of service standards across St. Maarten.
One key factor that can significantly impact the success of maritime services is investing in the training and development of employees at all levels. By equipping the country’s port workers with the necessary attitude, skills, and knowledge, businesses can enhance their overall customer experience, meet international standards, realize business continuity, and drive long-term success.
“We have really been trying to improve Port, Maritime, Transportation, Logistics, Warehousing and Distribution service offered across the region,” said Forrest. “Our aim is to provide ongoing training, assessment and certification for the entire industry, the objective is to keep the Caribbean Region operations at International Standard.”

CAY HILL:---  International Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon Dr. Marlon Buncamper recently performed the first-ever deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast surgery at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). Dr. Buncamper, shadowing Plastic Surgeon Dr. Marleen Meesters and a team of skilled operating room team, performed the surgery to restore the breast shape of a patient who previously underwent a mastectomy as a breast cancer treatment. The patient has since made a full recovery.
The seven-hour-long, complex surgery involved taking a section of tissue from the abdomen and relocating it to create a new breast. The skin, fat, and vessels from the abdomen were transposed using microsurgery (intricate surgery using miniaturized instruments and a microscope) to the breast area, resulting in new breasts that feel and react naturally because it is made of the patient’s tissue. It is called a DIEP flap surgery after the blood vessel that runs through the abdominal muscle. This is a newer procedure that has fewer long-term risks and complications than alternative options for breast reconstruction.
Dr. Buncamper, an accomplished plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon, has roots in St. Maarten but practices in Belgium and the Netherlands. In 2020, he joined SMMC as a rotational specialist, providing consultations and performing surgeries a few times per year. He was also instrumental in establishing the Plastic Surgery Department of SMMC in 2020. Upon the completion of the surgery, which is considered top-of-the-line in breast reconstruction, Dr. Buncamper remarked, “I’m proud to have been part of this monumental surgery, which is the first on St. Maarten. I’m happy that we could give a woman in St. Maarten the opportunity to regain her femininity and not have to leave the island to do it. I hope we can help many more women in the Dutch Caribbean as well”.
SMMC CEO Dr. Felix Holiday congratulated the team, saying, “It fills us with immense pride that we can now expand the services we provide by adding this new procedure. Dr. Buncamper, Dr. Meesters, and the entire operating room team have given this patient a new outlook on life, and we look forward to providing many other women who have suffered through breast cancer more options for recovery and healing right here on St. Maarten”.
Patients interested in a consultation at the Plastic Surgery Department of SMMC are encouraged to make an appointment by calling +1 (721) 543-1111 or 910 ext 1300 from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. SZV patients are requested to obtain a referral letter from their family doctor.

~Career exploration tips to be given to participants~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is organizing a workshop entitled “My Study or Career: My Choice” on April 18, 2024, at the University of St. Martin from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
This free, interactive workshop is geared toward students in their last two years of secondary school or recent graduates. Parents are also welcome to attend.
Many students are undecided about a college major and what career or occupation they want to pursue. Career Guidance Counselors at the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport see many of the abovementioned cases regularly. The workshop is aimed at helping such individuals. It will cover areas such as choosing a career path, exploring careers, deciding on a major or study at a college/university, not overlooking career options, and other related aspects.
Workshop participants will also receive tips on exploring their interests and skills and how these can be incorporated into their career or study choice. Students or parents can register in advance by calling SSSD at Tel: 543-1235. Participants are urged to be on time for this workshop on April 18, 2024.
The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) office is located in the Gatspy’s Building, across from the Police Station and next to the WIB. SSSD provides services to students referred by the schools, such as psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, and speech-language pathology services. SSSD also provides general services such as career services, parent sessions, and crisis response.