Simpson Bay:---At approximately 1:55pm an alarm was triggered in the Departure Pavil-ion. The Rescue and Firefighting team (R&FF) responded to the alarm, as everyone vacated the Pavilion. Following an investigation by the R&FF it was later determined that the alarm system showed an active fire fault in the system and the team determined that it was safe to return to the Pavilion.
The Rescue and Firefighting team reset the panel box and declared the situation as a code green, which meant that they could stand down as there was no active fire.

At 3:15pm the alarm sounded once more in the Departure Pavilion and the Rescue and Firefighting team responded once again. The passengers evacuated the building and this time the Red Alert detection technician arrived to check the system. The Red Alert company originally installed the fire alarm system at the Pavilions.

On Wednesday July 18, 2018 yet another alarm was triggered at approximately 10:21am at the Departure Pavilion. Chief of the Rescue and Firefighting Department, Manilo Penijn announced that the technician decided to disable the panel box and is currently busy repairing the faulty wiring. The R&FF team established a fire watch in the Pavilion until the technician completes the necessary repairs.

The Managing Board apologizes for any inconvenience the false alarms may have caused and stressed that the airport does not take the safety and security of its users for granted.

PHILIPSBURG:---The St. Maarten Rotary Club – Mid Isle, recently donated materials to the National
Sport Institute for Community and Organizational usage.

Following the hurricane experienced in 2017, Sport experienced many challenges with damage to the sport facilities and loss of sport material. In light of the challenges, the Rotary club, Mrs Denise Antrobus contacted the Department of Sport of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to assist. It was determined with the Department of Sport and the National Sport Institute the Foundation responsible for the execution of sports and the management of the various
Government owned sport facilities that the assistance would be needed in the form of sport materials that could be utilized by the school and organizations who utilize our facilities. The funds for the equipment was garnered through The Rotary District 7020 Emergency Recovery fund. District 7020 compromises of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman islands, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Barths, St. Maarten/St. Martin, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and US Virgin Islands. The materials received included: basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, nets and gloves. The Department of Sport on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sport Institute greatly appreciates the assistance of Mrs Antrobus of the Rotary club who took the initiative to contact the Department and the Rotary Club – Mid Isle for their assistance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In connection with funeral of police officer Quintin Rogers which is scheduled to be held on Thursday July 19th 2018 the Police Department is giving the following information regarding road closures.
At 09.30 a.m. the deceased will be transported by hearse to the Police Station in Simpson Bay escorted by police where a small ceremony will be held in his honor. The route will be Sucker Garden road, Freedom Fighter round about, Walter Nisbeth road, Prins Bernard Bridge, Bush road, Church hill round about, A.J.C. Brouwerd road, Kruythof round about, Welfare road, Simpson Bay Bridge, Old Simpson Bay road via Sister Modesta road. The Old Simpson Bay road will be closed temporarily at the police station until the short ceremony has concluded.
The procession will then return to Philipsburg via Simpson Bay Bridge, Welfare Road, Kruythoff round about, A.J.C. Brouwers road, Church hill round about, Bush road, Prins Bernard Bridge, Walter Nisbet road, Voges Street, E. Camille Richardson Street and stopping at the Philipsburg Police Head Quarters for a small ceremony arriving at approximately 10.15 a.m.
Front Street will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic at Long wall road and Little Bay road from 10.00 a.m. until the end of the funeral proceedings. All alleys connected to Front Street from Back street will also be closed to motor vehicle traffic until the end of the funeral proceedings.
At 11.00 a.m. the body of the deceased will then be transported to Sint Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church on Front Street for public viewing and a church service. After the church service at approximately 01.30 p.m. the uniformed departments and funeral procession will march down Front Street to the Catholic Cemetery at the crossing Front Street, Long wall road and Little bay road where the body will be laid to rest.
After the ceremony has taken place all streets and alleys will be re-opened motor vehicle traffic.
All drivers should take good note of this information and use alternative route to reach destinations and avoid any unnecessary delays or inconveniences. The Police Department is also asking all store owners and residents of Front Street to give all necessary cooperation to make this ceremony a successful one.

KPSM Press Release

Greeting to the people of this beloved island, Sint Maarten.
July 18, 2018 marks the centenary of the birth of the freedom fighter and defender of justice, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Respectfully called by his clan name, “Madiba”, he rose up against an apartheid South Africa, using his intellect and non-violent approach to stand up for the right of all people to be treated fairly. In doing so, Mandela represented not only himself and his clan, but all South Africans and the large community of oppressed people around the world.
We are called to honour those who fought for our right to be free, and to be treated equally. We pay homage to those, Madiba as well as men and women like him, who have acted in the interest of the people, even to the point of self-sacrifice. We declare our appreciation for the fruits of their labour that we are privileged to enjoy.
Madiba said, “No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.”
As we reflect on the struggles that our fore-parents endured and overcame, we must also look ahead to the future they dreamed for us. A life of liberation with unity, love and progress for all – this is the vision that still lies before us.
We have built into our DNA the spirit of resilience, to see the hope for a greater comeback after the setbacks. As the flamboyant tree blooms, so we as a people, stand tall and splendorous just ten months after the worst storm to hit our island. Yes, there is yet a lot of recovery needed. Many roofs are still covered with tarpaulin, schools need further repairs, and many persons are without steady income.
This is when the true nature of our culture must shine. There is a risk of losing our identity to desperation – to revisiting the dregs of looter mentality – stealing from each other because one feels justified by his circumstances. We must resist this temptation and denounce any practice of it. As the friendly island that welcomed many to our shores, we must teach those who have joined us and our younger generations that this little island is a safe place for all. As Madiba said, “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
We will look after the interests of our families and our neighbours. As the saying goes “It takes a village to raise a child”, therefore we must play our part in taking care of the next generation. They will become our crown of stars or thorns in our sides, so we must play our part. When you see a child or an adult, say “Good day”, give a smile - small gestures that go a far way. Manners takes us through the world and a smile goes a mile long.
As outlined in our Governing Program which is available to all via our Government’s website, this Ministry in partnership with other relevant authorities, will be focusing on

• rebuilding our schools to make them disaster ready,
• preserving our culture and promoting our national identity,
• adapting the education curriculum to meet the diverse needs of our economy,
• integrate technology for a smart IT market, and
• creating employment opportunities for our youth.

Together, we can ensure that the negativity that seeks to invade us does not take root and redefine who we are.
Together, we will educate and legally integrate those who believe they were born to be here and want to adopt the Sint Maarten Way of life.
Together, we will preserve and promote our culture and identity.
In unity, we will shine as the rare pearl of the Caribbean that we are.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, I wish you and your children the true joys of celebrating Nelson Mandela Day.