Articles

It is becoming more a reality and rather difficult for our media readers and listening audience to receive credible information on matters of interests or concerns on our little "friendly" island.
In any country the media reporting should be done professionally, independently, credibly, often and on timely fashion.
The media should act as a credible source of information in enlightening the masses to arrive to an independent opinion on matters of interests without having any appearance of subjecting the medias influence or will on the readers and listening audience.
Of course the media can have its own opinion on matters of concern printed in their opinion corner in their newspapers.
But the importance of any newspaper is that it must have the characteristics or patterns of reflecting credibility, knowledge, independence and respect for all parties involve.
Now this expectation from any self respected news media seems to be a tall order for a daily news paper who is spearheading a political position for their boss after our island attains it's separate status under the DP's administration.
• roots and reasons for resentment.
Yes, many people do have serious problems with medias who have their hidden agendas and ulterior motives in deliberately publishing news with the sole purposes such as:
1) promoting this administration on its poor and pitiful performances to obtain separate
status for the island without setting any prior conditions and guarantees on providing good governance with accountability in the first place is an irresponsible approach.
2) acting as the mouthpiece of the DP's party in distributing DP's propaganda and
defending the DP's thrash theories in their national opinion & commentary column is
a bias position for any media who wants to be considered a credible source of
information.
3) aiming at pushing the indigenous people who are legitimately standing up for their
rights in their own country called: home or the Rock farther into a corner will be un acceptable.
4) constantly mocking indigenous organizations for being vocal and vivid in defending
their credible causes on behalf of their indigenous people will only strengthen our resolve.
5) constantly being cynic and sarcastic towards anyone who has a different opinion than
them, will be rejected.
Yes, these and many more other cases of public display of their arrogance, disrespect, hostility and hypocrisy towards the indigenous people are all evidences as roots and reasons for resentment towards the bias media reporting on our "friendly" island.
• editor's egoistic ethics.
The TODAY Newspaper that has an undoubtedly close relationship with the DP's party and it's inner circle because of their boss's link to the party will always seek to chastise any author who dares attack this administration in their paper by:
a) not printing the article at all but rather take the contents of the received article apart
and then bash the author in their sacred editorial corner or column.
b) deliberately changing the author's message through adding or deleting words in
the original message and then print the change version with the signature of the
author under it.
c) purposely printing the article on a later date when it becomes then irrelevant to the
timing are all signs of their editor's egoistic ethics!!!!!
• silly and stupid statement.
TODAY, your silly and stupid statement of access denied is proven futile once more because it is rather access delayed giving readers the opportunity to still read this article at a later date, OK.
• credible conclusion.
Because of our medias interests and benefits they enjoy from this awful and amazing administration we can surely then expect:
the medias misleading messages to the masses!!!!!

E. James.

In reading Mr. Brookson's as well as his Lawyer's recent press releases and open letters regarding the Emilio Wilson Estate in the local media it becomes apparent that both gentlemen seem to be (perhaps purposefully) conveniently disregarding several important facts.
The most obvious of these is that Mr. Brookson and his partners the Paas family were not the owners of the Emilio Wilson Estate in September 2005 when the Island Council first passed an Island Resolution declaring its intent to place "the estates the Industry and the Goldenrock on the list of monuments of St. Maarten" and concurrently indicated an interest in "the purchase of the property The Industry and the Goldenrock commonly known as the Emilio Wilson Estate". Nor did Brookson and his partners own the estate on June 23rd, 2006 when Government rejected the planning permit request submitted by the Emilio Wilson Estate B.V.
Brookson was also not yet the owner of the Emilio Wilson Estate on July 10th, 2007 when the Island Council unanimously passed an Island resolution in which they reaffirmed the Council's aforementioned decision of June 23rd, 2006 and decided to place the entire Industry and the Goldenrock estates, (the Emilio Wilson Estate), on the monument list.
As a matter of fact Brookson and the Paas family only obtained title to the estate one year ago on February 19th, 2008 over 2 years and 5 months after Government first indicated and motivated its intention to protect the entire Emilio Wilson Estate in September of 2005.
The only Government decision made after Brookson obtained title to the Estate is the one of July 1st, 2008 whereby the Executive Council resolved to have the entire Emilio Wilson Estate designated as a protected monument and to zone it for conservation purposes.
All of Government's resolutions and decisions related to the Emilio Wilson Estate have been well documented and publicized. Brookson was therefore fully aware of Government's intention to have the estate protected and zoned for conservation purposes when he pursued and secured a deal with the heirs of the late Mr. Emilio Wilson's brother Mr. Granville Wilson in 2008.
Statements by Brookson and his Lawyer that little seems to have been done by Government or Foundations since the Island Council passed the Island Resolution of September 20th, 2005 are misleading, considering the previously listed Island Resolutions and decisions of 2006, 2007 and 2008. Should Government have taken more measures to protect the Estate since 2005? Definitely!
St. Maarten's Environmental Foundations have however continuously advocated and pursued all feasible means of securing the protection of the Estate since at least 2005 and in some cases as early as the 1980s and 1990s. Foundation staff and board members even travelled to the Netherlands where they met with conservation NGOs as well as Funding Agencies to discuss the possibilities of purchasing the estate. International Funding Agencies, other NGOs and corporate citizens have expressed an interest in contributing towards the purchase and management of the estate but will not get involved until Government takes the initiative and allocates funding towards purchasing the property.
Upon analyzing the abovementioned chronology of events one could question why Brookson and others would pursue the purchase of property which has been clearly and repeatedly earmarked for protection by the highest council of local Government on the Island Territory of St. Maarten. One could argue that Brookson's conscious purchase of property already designated for protection constitutes an acceptance, on his part, of the estate's imminent protected status and associated development restrictions. Were Brookson's intentions honorable and did he obtain title to the estate in order to help facilitate its protection? Or was the purchase of the estate a rather unethical move Brookson undertook upon realizing the area's immeasurable historical and cultural value to the people of St. Maarten and the potential for this project to become his personal cash-cow? Taking into account the course of events the latter unfortunately seems more plausible than the former.
That Mr. Brookson became one of the co-owners of the Emilio Wilson Estate in February of 2008, (albeit with questionable intentions and in unclear circumstances) is certain and is not something which the Emilio Wilson Estate and St. Maarten Pride Foundations contest.
The Foundations, however, maintain their position of 2005 that the Emilio Wilson Estate is of vast ecological, cultural and historical significance to the people of St. Maarten as described in the Archaeological report by Dr. Haviser and several government commissioned reports.

Government would be well advised to reaffirm its commitments concerning the Emilio Wilson Estate to the people of St. Maarten through approving the "Preparatory Resolution Conservation Areas", expediting the process of zoning the Emilio Wilson Estate for conservation and recreational purposes and by securing funds to purchase the Estate from its current owners. The ball is in Government's court, their silence since July 2008 is as deafening as it is unsettling.

Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation

St. Maarten Pride Foundation

Every avenue should be explored.

Dutch Secretary of State for Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld informed the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) last week during her brief visit to the island that additional help might be possible via funds already allocated to Netherlands Antilles Development Foundation USONA and the Antillean Co-Financing Organization AMFO, adding that this aid could come in the form of technical assistance. Funding from the European Union (EU) can also be explored the State Secretary pointed out.

The islands should take Bijleveld up on her offer with respect to what are the possibilities to cushion the impact of the global recession. However, I do not agree with Bijleveld where she mentions about funds already allocated should be used for dealing with the economic recession. These allocated funds are already destined for areas that need to be developed and are priority areas for the respective islands.

Additional funds should be made available because this crisis is an exceptional one. The first thing the Dutch Government has to recognize is that, unlike other financial breakdowns that we have seen over the years, this one is not confined to particular economic sectors, markets or regions. It is global. Our island nation has to plan well ahead taking into consideration that this recession may well extend into 2010 and one has to plan for the inevitable. This is the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression almost 80-years ago.

Even though the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman announced last week that by the end of 2009 things may start to turn around in the U.S. economy, we still need to see ourselves through the second half of 2009 as well as 2010.

The Cayman Islands - a British dependency similar to Anguilla - will secure US$185 million in long-term financing to fund requirements for its 2008/09 budgetary year capital expenditure and investment projects. This money will be obtained on the international finance market through a bond issue to be floated by Scotia Bank and Trust (Cayman) Ltd and US-based JP Morgan.

Bridge financing has been secured from a consortium of two local retail banks - Scotia Bank and Royal Bank of Canada - and the Cayman Government has already drawn down US$90 million, with an option to withdraw another US$95 million, all of which is to be repaid when the bonds are successfully floated.

Our island nation of St. Maarten does not have the authority to seek funds on the finance market, but a dependency of the United Kingdom has this possibility. This is something that we need to think long and hard about. The Cayman Islands population is roughly the same as St. Maarten.

Despite our constitutional limitations in seeking the necessary funds that we need to fulfil our national development goals at this point in time of constitutional renewal, we must pursue every avenue available that would carry us through these turbulent times.

Roddy Heyliger

Recently, our great ‘advisor-for- nuttin', has been displaying another ‘tone' in his diatribes in the media.
His latest letter to the editor (Reprimands and free advice for Franklyn RICHARDS) in the Daily Herald of Monday, March 2, 2009, is a great testimony to that observation,
Something apparently has really ‘ticked him off', which is regrettable.
Imagine, some-one having the audacity to construct a building so high, that it is effecting HIS view in paradise !
Wattating ?
Never mind that no-one has been more the victim to the nasty side effects of the overdevelopment on the island, than its own native-indigenous St. Martin People.
But, that it now effects our ‘great free advisor' and other well-behaved bourgeoisie residents like HIM.
Do not forget that his contribution to the island has been truly ‘immense'.
One such added value is him sharing his ‘expertise' as bachata dancer of sorts with any one willing to learn this Caribbean art-form from him.
Another ‘patriotic' contribution of our great ‘free-advisor' has been to make it his personal endeavor and mission to ridicule in my efforts to stand up and defend the rights of my own native-indigenous St. Martiners.
For him that was great ‘fun', because it offered him some dubious kind of ‘popularity' only he fathomed.
Never mind that not only our ‘view', but in fact our very existence as a native people has been affected by senseless overdevelopment, mass immigration based on greed and lust for adventure by the likes as his coming from ‘the cold'.
In recent times however, our ‘free-advisor-in-chief- of-some-sorts' is becoming an unpaid social activist of a different plumage, a pathetic conversion.
According to people meeting me on the streets, it seems that the ‘advisor' is now reading from the ‘same book and page', from which I have been doing so for years, much to his displeasure and ridicule.
Reason for this obvious and blatant conversion, you ask ?
What about this ‘calculated speculation' ?
His ‘chickens too are coming home to roost'
The beautiful sight he now enjoys over the Lagoon, offering scenic, romantic and post-card sunsets, not within his reach in the ‘polder' where he used to milk cows in the dark, misty, rainy, weather is now being threatened, ending his experience in ‘paradise'.
Nothing wrong with that concern and conversion, other than it carries all the appearances of a classic example of an opportunistic response.
Finally, the ‘free-advisor', now feels what the local natives have been feeling for decades when the likes like him enjoyed a privileged comfort-zone at our expense and loathed and ridiculed our concerns, while pouring and heaping blessings on the same ‘Red' Government.
Nevertheless, to the ‘unpaid advisor' and ‘all-round wannabe', I say, better late than never.
Welcome to the club of citizens concerned and upset about the rampant, self-destructive overdevelopment.
You can count on our support, although you never empathized with our concerns of being ‘wiped out' in the name of ‘development', which at that time was in your favor, because you too wanted ‘in' on the ‘pie'.
However, Mr. ‘Free-advisor', there is at least one condition for our support to you and yours !
Publicly acknowledge and support, if you can, our moral and historical rights to be first in our own native St. Martin land.
Failure to do so in one of your future ‘free advices', will lead only to one conclusion.
As long as your ‘comfort-zone' is not threatened, you could not care less about the threats to our very existence of native-indigenous St. Martiners.
As a consequent, you therefore would be more than willing to cut any deal with the same Government you are now criticizing, should they give you your way, which should never be ruled out, because of which ‘constituents' you represent.
In that possible event, it will again turn out to be' business as usual for you
and the likes of you.
Subsequently, nothing would have changed for the native-indigenous People of this island, just another act of betrayal.
Time will tell.
Have a nice week, my dear friend and ‘free advisor of sorts'.
Leopold JAMES

That is the question! What roles will the Netherlands Antilles Central Bank (NACB) play in helping the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles mitigate the impact of the global economic-financial crisis? What role can the Central Bank play? We've read for the past six months how Central Banks across the globe have been intervening in helping to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis. What can we expect? In these times, it's not business as usual.
Just this week the Bahamas Government announced plans to borrow US$200 million from a group of banks to help the country pull through the global economic crisis. The funding will go towards a stimulus programme and offset revenue shortfall in fiscal 2008/09. The Bahamian Prime Minister Hon. Hubert Ingraham reported that the effects of the global economic crisis on Bahamian economic performance and prospects were "evident and stark," adding that there can be no broad single-stroke response to the global crisis but, rather, "measured and incremental responses must be available as the crisis develops."
Antigua & Barbuda is seeking a US$32 million policy-based loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to help the twin-island nation through the crisis.
Some island nations in the region are cautiously optimistic about the regional tourism industry in 2009/10, expecting a challenging 2009; optimistic for the short-term and for the long-term, to work hard to preserve market share. St. Maarten has to take the same approach of preserving its market share.
The events of the past six months have fundamentally changed the world. Tourism destinations will have to work harder than ever to level out the decline in visitor numbers to their destinations and this can only be done by investing in marketing and investing wisely.
Some islands are looking at the upcoming Spring Break in the U.S. With the U.S. State Department issuing a negative travel advice about travelling to Mexico due to the high incidence of drug-related crime, the Caribbean is an alternative destination for students who travel for the Spring Break (March, April). College newspapers and online papers are avenues for advertising/marketing.
Another area being looked at by one Caribbean island nation is a summer programme for professional skateboarders. Recent statistics reveal that there are now 20 million skateboarders in the United States alone.
Other areas being are the wedding and honeymoon markets for the summer months as well as family vacations which are now more important than ever before.
During times of recession when consumer spending drops, consumers will still choose to travel, but not as much as they had previously. A destination has to also remain loyal to its repeat visitors because they will help make a tremendous impact on the destination when there is no growth from new visitors.
The booking window for visitors is also getting shorter when making a reservation to go on holiday and the day you leave. On average it would be from 30 to 60 days, and this would determine for hotels and tourism authorities what the upcoming season would look like two to three months in advance. Today, it's a different ball game as travel trends have adjusted to the economic recession and many travellers are now making a reservation five days before they travel or a day before in order to get the best deals.
Some hoteliers and others in the U.S. Virgin Islands who market to tourists have reportedly said that the usually busy February hasn't turned out to be as bad as anticipated going from catastrophic to crappy.
Our nation's economic growth for 2009 will be directly related to what is happening internationally in North America, Europe and Latin America. Once these three geographic areas can turn around their economy then we will begin to see a turnaround in our tourism based economy.
Our island nation still has not felt the full brunt of this global crisis as there is still economic activity and buoyancy in the national economy. Once the (high) tourist season comes to an end mid-April early May, things we expect will change further.
The role of a nation's Central Bank is very important in times like these. The NACB Charter limits monetary financing of budget deficits to 10 per cent of the central government revenues in the previous year. This limitation must be seen in the context of an overdraft facility to meet liquidity deficits of the public sector that result from seasonal variations in government revenues.
The current times are exceptional and not business as usual and require an exceptional response. Will the Antillean Central Bank work with the islands to provide that exceptional response?

Recently commissioners are coming under fire in the form of public anger, feelings and expression regarding the manner in which certain issues are playing out.
Yes, the situation of public disgust is popping up everywhere as a sign of not tolerating any more senseless and sloppy performances by this awful an amazing administration.
The island is being daily confronted by all sorts of scams, shams, scandals and schemes condone and conducted by crafty, clever and cunning commissioners in government.
It is crystal clear to see that even in the darkest night bribes, kickbacks and favours are all undoubtedly the bottom line of government's perverted performances in this respect.
Yes, our people are sick and tired of catching the fever of disgust called enough is enough.
Yes, our people know that there is no difference between a smart thief and a stupid thief because in people's book: a thief is a thief and will remain a thief period.
• Commissioners come clean in your cases.
Now that commissioners are taking public heat of rejection by coming under fire, the microscope and scrutiny for corruptive involvements regarding the granting of licenses and permits on questionable projects we are now noticing:
a) commissioners closing loopholes to distract attention from finding traces of their
hand, foot and finger prints they left behind.
b) government closing peep holes by redistributing portfolios among the weasels in
the Executive Council in an attempt to cover up or conceal possible links to any
scandals in the making.
c) commissioners shirking, shunning and shying away from taking responsibilities by
trying to hide behind the cock and bull story of "I did not sign any permit" of course
not and the others did not sign too but you and the others approved it!!!!!
• Commissioners are all classical and compulsive liars.
It is therefore my intention to give some hard but helpful hints such as the following:
a) All commissioners lie through their teeth and because of this legacy of lying they are
all called then: classic, compulsive, diabolic, pathologic and pathetic liars.
b) All commissioners have great difficulty speaking or telling the truth such as being
members of the Executive Council that they are the only persons who collectively by
law grant or reject licenses and permits and not the Salvation Army, the Red Cross
the Fire Brigade or government departments.
c) Government departments only process and give advise to the Executive Council
but it is the commissioners who collectively grant or reject licenses and permits.
d) That the only signature that appears on licenses and permits is that of the Lt. Governor after the approval of all the commissioners including commissioner Theo Heyliger to grant a license or permit.
• Hard and helpful hints.
Commissioner Theo Heyliger with his usual smile and smirk on his face believes that:
a) he is still dealing with the Simple Simons who he can take for a ride by making
ridiculous remarks like for example "my signature is not on any permit" but so is it
the case with all the other commissioners but yet permits and licenses are granted!!!!!
b) his job is to keep people ill inform and ignorant.
c) he can continue try taking the people for granted by attempting to convince the public
that government's departments grant and reject licenses and permits and not him
together with the other commissioners and this is a lie that is far from the truth.
Can you imagine government departments granting licenses and permits but
commissioners cashing in for services they never rendered hijacking monies that
should go then to the civil servants. Thieving from Peter to pay Paul. What a
thing!!!!! This would have been called: High day robbery or a double dose of
racketeering.
• Queer question then:
With the present commotion and public uproar I am asking our commissioners what are you really having: A party, a pic nick or panic?????

Mr.Edwin James

Although this art work was signed UA., there are reasons to believe that the well-known 'Free Adviser' and 'drift-wood artist''clear clue' has a very on the real identity of the Graffiti-artist 'UA'.

Meanwhile, as we predicted many years ago, the situation is escalating to a point that it will boil down to 'We versus them', with various types of 'we's and 'thems' depending on the issue.

In this case clearly the 'We's' are the local (native?) St.Martiners versus, the 'foreigners'.

Case in point.
See also attached Letter to editor in the Daily Herald of Friday, March 13, 2009 "We accepted you !' written by Marinka GUMBS, a very professional, descent and conscious native St. Martin young lady.
What makes this case even more interesting is that this lady is the daughter of Ramona THOMAS, right hand of Commissioner and Leader of Government, Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS.
Mrs. THOMAS now finds herself at odds with residents, mainly non-St. Martiners, who are protesting her constructing a building on a property, considered too small for the building to be constructed.
Meanwhile, Government appears more and more to be stuck in a 'morass' of bad-governance and corruption as a consequence of which the island is set on a 'collosion-course', like recently in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
For regular updates on this ongoing development go to www.stmartinnation.org

Leopold JAMES

From reading the local SXM-media, it is becoming very obvious that, although for those who never expected that to happen, the proverbial 'chickens are coming home to roost'.
Gerard Bijnsdorp, the comical 'Unpaid adviser' and a number of his Simpson-residents, who long thought to be living in 'paradise' and were not as 'touchable' as the native-indigenous SXM'ers, are now trying hard to come to grips with reality and trying to figure out the 'way forward'.
Now, a number of Point-Blanche residents are set to become the next 'victims' of the diabolic and devious mentality of the corrupt SXM-Government.
A number of these Point-Blanche residents feel that having residing on the island for some 20 odd years, should be compelling enough an argument to sensitize the public.
If that were the case, how infinitely much more compelling would be our case as we native-indigenous SXM'ers ?
After all, simply consider the fact some of our ancestors were brought here HUNDREDS of years ago and not voluntarily and certainly did not live in nice homes with nice views.
Moreover, many of our ancestors suffered under the atrocities of the slave 'trade' and paid for the real development of this island and for their descendants with blood, sweat and tears ?
These remarks are not made to minimize the legitimate concerns of the residents now complaining, but to place the development of the 'Friendly island' in a broader perspective and for them to realize that while many of them were comfortable, many natives felt marginalized.
So, hopefully, reality is starting to sink in that until the ancestral rights of the native SXM'ers are recognized by ALL, sympathy for others, will not be exactly forth coming any time soon.
Time is long overdue that all residents realize, acknowledge and support the principle that charity starts at home and that the foundation to carry and maintain any form of cultural diversity, sustainable development, economic stability, safety and security and quality of life, lies in having a very viable and strong native-indigenous people and their heritage.
Until such time, more chickens will be coming home to roost.......with no end in sight.
Again our organizations are open, prepared and willing to create the platform for a true Rainbow-Partnership between all relevant stakeholders on the island.
We are convinced that without such a partnership, the country-status as presently promoted by the same politicians who have lost every once of confidence of the People, will be the beginning of a 'Wild-West- Banana- Republic'.
The choice is of the People.....

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

My good friend ‘Ger', aka as the advisor fo' nuttin'.
Allow me to hereby respectfully respond to your letter to the editor in the TDYA-newspaper of Wednesday, march 11, 2009,entitled ; ‘Theo and his R.O.B.bers ( acrime strory).
By the way ‘Ger'.
Is it through providence or form of ‘higher power' that your article happen to appear right next to mine (‘Hero Brinkman is having a good laugh') in the same paper, of the same date on the same page ?
Nevertheless ‘Ger', indeed you are undergoing a mental metamorphosis of kind; from clown to radical activist.
Wattating....
After years of you trying to ridicule me, demonize me, which obvious not only did not work, because it backfired on you, you are singing a different song.
Now you are writing letters to the editor, in fact ‘copying' the same concerns I have been expressing for years.
Back then, before your beautiful, postcard view became ‘endangered', you made it your art-form to criticize and downgrade the sentiments of my native-indigenous St. Martin people..
Now that you and the likes of yours are ‘feeing the pinch' resulting from greed, nepotism, corruption, you are crying wolf.
Talking about opportunism.
Nevertheless, ‘Ger', I always felt for you, because you knew not better back then and as intellectual, I knew your day would come sooner or later.....
That is when the proverbial ‘chickens come home to roost....'.
Still, ‘Ger', I hold no grudge toward you and I forgive you your ignorance for unjustly blasting me standing up for the rights of the native people who were residents here long before you ‘discovered' paradise and the Simpson-Bay lagoon.
People who after the evil of the slavery-trade had ceased in its original form, enjoyed the most beautiful views of the island.
From hill-tops, coastal areas, grass-lands, beaches and all the island had to offer.
There were no areas made ‘off-limit' to natives back then and we shared all we had with every visitor.
That life for us ended when the concept of the ‘Friendly island' was created by the crooks and thieves in Government, sold out our entire patrimony under the guise of ‘development & growth', which made it possible also for people like you, who did not care about us to live in paradise.
Now, after living your dreams, your view is threatened with ‘extinction', by another ‘wave' of ‘new-comers', making feel what we felt when others like yourself came before.
Still, Gerard, I admire your outspokenness and not hiding your identity, making you a man, from which many of our own native ‘name with-drawn' and ‘name known to editors' and ‘callers'.
Because the cause is bigger than you and me ‘Ger', I have no problem sitting with people like yourself and others to find common, creative, win-win solutions.
I am just a call (54 43512), an email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) away from you.
The choice is yours.
For sure, whatever such choice, it will be respected by me, but I will carry on regardless with standing up for the rights of my St. Martin people, without trampling upon any genuine rights of others.

Leopold JAMES
You know, prod native-indigenous St. martiner, without apologies, but with lots of understanding and compassion..
--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
-------

This is a follow up to my Open letter, to Mrs. Emily ELHAGE-DE JONGH, Prime-minister of the Netherlands Antilles, in which she was asked to explain WHICH 'SXM' according to her was 'doing well'.
This letter received quite some attention and support from the public at large on the island, because the Prime-ministers statement and assessment, clearly does not reflect the reality of the island, deliberately and systematically marketed as THE 'Friendly- island'.
Clearly, we who actually live a law-abiding life on the island and therefore feel the heat of the 'SXM-oven', completely refute the 'up-beat' perception created through the statements by the Prime-minister, who according to some pundits, perhaps was on the island on a 'snoep-reisje' (a 'sight-seeing tour')organized by the local Government in order to promote its 'country status campaign', because of it lacking public interest and interest as well.
Even more detrimental to the credibility of statement of the Prime-minister, is a report written by drs. A.Th. B. BIJLEVELD-SCHOUTEN, State-secretary of Interior Affairs and Kingdom relations.
This report 'Staat van het bestuur Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba' (State of Government Affairs of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba) was sent the the Chairperson of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on February 23, 2009, which is hereby sent as attachment.
The contents of this report, in no uncertain terms erodes the credibility of the statement that 'SXM is doing well' by the Prime-minister of the Netherlands Antilles.
Consequently, the conclusion can be drawn that, either the Prime-minister is ignorant of the real state of affairs in her own country and/or she is playing politics and trying to 'prop up' the practically non-existing credibility of the Executive-council of St. Maarten, at the expense of good Governance for the people of this island.
Therefore, any silence on her part can only mean the proverbial 'consent' in which case, Mr. Herao Brinkman, Dutch Parliamentarian c.s. should be having a good laugh, saying 'Zie je wel, ze zijn total onbetrouwbaar' (You see they are completely unreliable)

Do have a nice day.

With respect ,

Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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> Retouradres Postbus 20011 2500 EA Den Haag
Aan de voorzitter van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
Datum 23 februari 2009
Betreft Staat van het bestuur Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba
Pagina 1 van 7
DGKB/KR
Schedeldoekshaven 200
2511 EZ Den Haag
Postbus 20011
2500 EA Den Haag
www.minbzk.nl
Kenmerk
2009-0000010081
In uw brief van 25 juni 2008 (kenmerk 08-NAAZ-B-OlO) hebt u mij verzocht te rapporteren over "de staat van het bestuur" in de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba.
Daarbij gaf u aan dat u moet kunnen beoordelen of aan de randvoorwaarden en eisen voor de staatkundige vernieuwing wordt voldaan. De toetsing van de overheidsapparaten van Curaçao en Sint Maarten zal tijdens de slot-RTC
plaatsvinden. Dit is op dit moment nog niet mogelijk, omdat de twee toekomstige landen nog in opbouw zijn. In deze brief zet ik wel mijn zorgen uiteen over het huidige bestuur in de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba. Daarbij ga ik onder andere in op de kwetsbaarheden van kleinschaligheid, die nog sterker naar voren kunnen komen binnen de toekomstige landen Curaçao en Sint Maarten. Vervolgens ga ik in op de maatregelen die ik neem om bij te dragen aan de kwaliteit van het bestuur en het terugdringen van corruptie op deze eilanden.

Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba

Het bestuur in de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba functioneert op een aantal
terreinen niet goed. Met name over de corruptie maak ik mij zorgen. Ik vind het ernstig dat uit een onderzoek dat is uitgevoerd door het CBS van de Nederlandse Antillen (2004) blijkt dat 92% van de bevolking van Curaçao meent dat corruptie de politiek ernstig tot zeer ernstig beïnvloedt. Het WODC spreekt in zijn rapport over georganiseerde criminaliteit in Sint Maarten (2007) over een ‘gelegenheidsstructuur' voor het ontplooien van criminele activiteiten. Uit het WODC-onderzoek blijkt dat er een verscheidenheid aan faciliterende omstandigheden is voor drugssmokkel, mensensmokkel en illegaal geldverkeer die voortvloeien uit de (economische) infrastructuur. Hiertegenover staan volgens
het WODC controlesystemen en -mogelijkheden die hier niet of nauwelijks mee in evenwicht zijn. Mede door de kleinschaligheid van Sint Maarten worden leden van Pagina 2 van 7
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het Bestuurscollege direct door burgers aangesproken op de behartiging van hun persoonlijke belangen en vice versa. Daarbij zouden overheidsinstrumenten zoalsvergunningenverstrekking en het al dan niet houden van controles en het opleggen van boetes door sommige bestuurders worden ingezet om bepaalde doelen te bereiken, aldus het WODC.
Diverse onderzoeken en zaken in de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba bevestigen de genoemde kwetsbaarheden. Als recente voorbeelden noem ik de fraude bij de immigratiedienst van Sint Maarten, waarbij ook de korpschef van Sint Maarten betrokken was, en de gedeputeerde van Sint Maarten die thans verdacht wordt van corruptie en fraude. Wat langer terug speelden bijvoorbeeld de Pinnacle-zaak en de Curinta-zaak op Curaçao en de corruptiezaak Fondo Desaroyo San Nicolas op Aruba. Ik constateer dat deze bestuurlijke corruptiezaken zijn onderzocht, voor de rechter gebracht en tot uitspraken hebben geleid. Er is dus sprake van zelfreinigend vermogen op de eilanden. Waarbij ik overigens vaststel dat er een forse ondersteuning van Nederland is om dit te realiseren, bijvoorbeeld door de
uitzending van rechters en officieren van justitie, de inzet van de Koninklijke Marechaussee en de inzet binnen het Recherchesamenwerkingsteam.
Naast de strafrechterlijke kant is er echter ook een kant van de bestuurders. Ik ben van mening dat de bestuurders in de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba sterker stelling kunnen nemen tegen zaken waarin (de schijn van) belangenverstrengeling of gebrek aan transparantie twijfels doen rijzen over de integriteit van het overheidsbestuur. Ik denk hierbij bijvoorbeeld aan de gedeputeerde van Sint Maarten die met haar echtgenoot betrokken was bij een stichting die subsidie ontving van een overheidsvennootschap die onder de verantwoordelijkheid van de gedeputeerde viel en waarin haar echtgenoot commissaris was. Bestuurders moeten het voorbeeld geven in wat zij zeggen én wat zij doen. Als bestuurders niet het juiste voorbeeld geven, kunnen zij immers moeilijk van hun ambtenaren verwachten dat zij integer hun werk doen.
De hierboven genoemde problemen hangen onder andere samen met de
kleinschaligheid van de landen en het feit dat het om eilanden gaat. Zo vormt het relatief kleine aanbod van hoog geschoolde werknemers een knelpunt voor de kwalitatieve capaciteit van de overheid. Ook de scheiding van de machten en de onafhankelijke besluitvorming staan onder druk door de nauwe relaties en de verwevenheid binnen de relatief kleine samenlevingen. Bovendien gaat het om
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relatief jonge democratieën. Dit betekent dat de besturen en het democratisch bewustzijn nog in ontwikkeling zijn. Deze verschijnselen doen zich in veel kleine eilandelijke staten voor. De wijze waarop het bestuur met deze kwetsbaarheden omgaat, bepaalt in belangrijke mate de effectiviteit van de overheid. Binnen het Koninkrijk mag de kleinschaligheid geen excuus zijn voor corruptie of gebrek aan
transparantie in het bestuur. De verbetering van de kwaliteit van het bestuur en de aanpak van corruptie zijn daarom prioriteiten in mijn beleid. Ik bewandel hiervoor drie wegen:
1. Ik stel eisen in het staatkundig proces.
2. Ik bied ondersteuning.
3. Ik spreek bestuurders aan op hun verantwoordelijkheden en zonodig
informeer ik het openbaar ministerie ter plaatse.
Eisen stellen in staatkundig proces
In de toekomstige landen Curaçao en Sint Maarten kunnen de kwetsbaarheden die samenhangen met de kleinschaligheid nog duidelijker naar voren komen. In het staatkundig proces zijn daarom afspraken gemaakt om een voldoende niveau van deugdelijk bestuur, rechtszekerheid en verwezenlijking van de mensenrechten te waarborgen. Dit zijn harde afspraken. Wanneer Curaçao en Sint Maarten niet aan deze afspraken voldoen, kunnen zij geen land worden.
De afspraken hebben betrekking op:
1. De rechtshandhaving en rechtszekerheid. Op deze terreinen zal er structurele samenwerking blijven plaatsvinden, die wordt vastgelegd in
consensusrijkswetgeving. Hierop aansluitend vindt onder andere het traject
ter verbetering van de politieorganisatie plaats.
2. De openbare financiën. Het financieel toezicht, dat nu voor de interimperiode is ingesteld, zal ook in consensusrijkswetgeving worden vastgelegd.
Om het toezicht op de overheidsbedrijven te verbeteren komen er regels op
het terrein van corporate governance. Voor het monetair beleid en het
toezicht op de financiële markten zal er structurele samenwerking blijven
bestaan tussen Curaçao en Sint Maarten, onder andere vormgegeven door
een gezamenlijke centrale bank.
3. Deugdelijk bestuur. Afgesproken is dat Curaçao en Sint Maarten moeten
voldoen aan een set criteria op het terrein van deugdelijk bestuur. Deze
criteria, die ik u bij brief van 31 maart 2008 met kenmerk 31200 IV nr. 34
heb toegezonden, betreffen zowel de wetgeving als het overheidsapparaat.
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De afspraken op het terrein van de rechtshandhaving en rechtspleging en
openbare financiën worden gezamenlijk uitgewerkt en uitgevoerd.
Aan het begin van het staatkundige traject is al vastgesteld dat sterke
verbeteringen bij de politie noodzakelijk zijn. Zonder die verbeteringen kunnen Curaçao en Sint Maarten geen land worden. In de Slotverklaring van 2 november 2006 zijn daarom ook harde afspraken gemaakt over de verbetering van de politie. De bedoeling is om in maart in de Politieke stuurgroep verbeterplannen vast te stellen. Deze verbeterplannen zijn opgesteld met stevige ondersteuning van de politie Rotterdam-Rijnmond. Ook bij de uitvoering van de plannen zal de politie Rotterdam-Rijnmond nauw betrokken zijn.
De verantwoordelijkheid voor het voldoen aan de criteria ligt bij Curaçao en Sint Maarten zelf. De RTC toetst of beide toekomstige landen aan de normen voldoen.
De eerste toets heeft op 15 december 2008 plaatsgevonden. Dit betrof de
staatsregelingen en organieke wetgeving. De RTC heeft vastgesteld dat deze
ontwerpwetgeving voldoet aan de gestelde criteria (met in achtneming van een aantal aanpassingen waarover eerder overeenstemming was bereikt). Deze ontwerpen worden verder via de van toepassing zijnde procedures behandeld.
De tweede toets, die formeel tijdens de slot-RTC zal plaatsvinden, betreft het
overheidsapparaat. Om aan de criteria te voldoen moeten Curaçao en Sint
Maarten nog veel werk verzetten. Eén van de criteria is bijvoorbeeld de realisatie van het rapport Konfiansa. Dit rapport is in 1999 door het land Nederlandse Antillen opgesteld en bevat concrete integriteitsmaatregelen voor het ambtelijk apparaat en het bestuur.
De toets van het overheidsapparaat zal niet alleen maar ‘papier' zijn. Ik wil mij ervan verzekeren dat de nieuwe Landen ook echt kunnen functioneren, dat betekent dat ook de feitelijke uitvoering gereed moet zijn op het moment van overgang. Tijdens de Ronde Tafel Conferentie zijn afspraken gemaakt over de toetsing. Het presidium van de voorbereidingscommissie-RTC zal de toetsing regisseren. Ik wil met de toekomstige landen afspreken dat ter voorbereiding van de eindtoets periodiek wordt gekeken naar de opbouw van de overheidsorganisaties. Op basis van deze periodieke audits, waarbij ook deskundigen moeten worden betrokken, kan voortdurend de voortgang van de opbouw worden beoordeeld. Op basis van tussenrapportages kan vervolgens door
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de politieke stuurgroep tijdig worden bijgestuurd. Ik kan u dan ook periodiek
informeren over de voortgang.
Ondersteunen
In de komende periode zal Nederland blijven samenwerken met de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba om de kwaliteit van het bestuur te verbeteren en de rechtshandhaving en rechtszekerheid te waarborgen.
Vanuit de waarborgfunctie vindt er structurele samenwerking plaats op het terrain van de zware, grensoverschrijdende en georganiseerde misdaad in de vorm van het Recherche Samenwerkingsteam. Bestrijding van de maritieme criminaliteit waaronder drugssmokkel, mensensmokkel en wapensmokkel wordt aangepakt door de Kustwacht voor de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba, een samenwerkingsverband tussen de drie landen van het Koninkrijk. Daarnaast bidet de Koninklijke Marechaussee al voor langere tijd ondersteuning bij de grensbewakingstaken op de luchthavens en aan de politie. Voor het goed functioneren van de rechterlijke macht zendt Nederland rechters en officieren van Justitie uit. Dit alles om de rechtszekerheid en veiligheid voor de burger op de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba te verhogen. In de toekomstige staatkundige situatie zal deze ondersteuning noodzakelijk blijven en waar dat nog niet het geval is ook worden verankerd in de eerder genoemde rijkswetten Naast de ondersteuning die een min of meer permanent karakter heeft, vindt er steun plaats op basis van samenwerkingsprogramma's. In de Nederlandse Antillen dragen met name het Plan Veiligheid Nederlandse Antillen (PVNA) en de eilandelijke programma's Institutionele Versterking en Bestuurskracht (IVB) bij aan de verbetering van het bestuur, de rechtshandhaving en de rechtszekerheid.
Met behulp van de IVB-programma's zijn er bijvoorbeeld verbeteringen
gerealiseerd in het financieel beheer van de eilandgebieden. Er is gewerkt aan de grote achterstand bij het opstellen van de jaarrekeningen en het Land en Curaçao zijn druk doende met de inning van achterstallige belastingen. Op de BESeilanden zijn nieuwe financiële systemen geïmplementeerd en hebben de financiële medewerkers een opleiding gevolgd. Binnen het PVNA wordt naast de bestrijding van de geweldscriminaliteit gewerkt aan de duurzame verbetering van de organisaties van de politie, het emeenschappelijke Hof van Justitie, het Openbaar Ministerie, het gevangeniswezen en de vreemdelingenketen. Gedurende
2008 is bijvoorbeeld gewerkt aan de ontwikkeling van een nieuw ICT-systeem
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voor de vreemdelingenketen. Dit systeem is nu gereed voor implementatie. Met
behulp van dit systeem kan efficiënter worden gewerkt en wordt de mogelijkheid van fraude bij het afgeven van verblijfsvergunningen sterk ingeperkt. Specifiek ten aanzien van de uitvoering van het PVNA in Sint Maarten heb ik u gerapporteerd in mijn brief van 10 december 2008 (kenmerk 31568 nr. 7). In
Aruba is de verbetering van de kwaliteit van het bestuur onderdeel van het
Meerjarenprogramma 2006-2009. Bovendien vindt hier samenwerking plaats op basis van het Programma Rechtshandhaving Aruba.
Ik noem hier ook de ondersteuning van de gezaghebbers gedurende het
transitieproces. Juist in deze periode van staatkundige en bestuurlijke hervorming vind ik het belangrijk dat de toezichthoudende taken van de gezaghebbers goed worden uitgevoerd. De gouverneur van de Nederlandse Antillen heeft dit belang onderstreept en coördineert dit project. Concreet komt de ondersteuning neer op de inzet van tien ambtenaren die vanuit Nederland worden uitgezonden naar de kabinetten van de gezaghebbers, elk met ruime expertise en ervaring op zijn eigen vakgebied. De expertises variëren van corporate governance, vreemdelingenzaken en politiezaken tot ruimtelijke ordening. De berichten die ik ontvang over de inzet van deze deskundigen zijn positief.
Agenderen en zonodig aangifte doen
In het Statuut is vastgelegd dat elk van de landen zorg draagt voor het deugdelijk bestuur, de rechtszekerheid en de verwezenlijking van de fundamentele menselijke rechten en vrijheden. Dit betekent dat er een grote
verantwoordelijkheid bij de bestuurders van deze landen ligt. Als daar aanleiding toe is, spreek ik de bestuurders aan op deze verantwoordelijkheid. Wanneer ik kennis krijg van vermeende strafbare feiten, meld ik dit bovendien bij het
Openbaar Ministerie ter plaatse.
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Voorop staat dat bestuurders hun burgers verzekeren van democratisch en
effectief bestuur en voldoende rechtszekerheid. De toekomstige landen Curaçao
en Sint Maarten moeten tijdens de slot-RTC kunnen aantonen dat zij hierin zullen
slagen.
DE STAATSSECRETARIS VAN BINNENLANDSE ZAKEN EN KONINKRIJKSRELATIES,
drs. A.Th.B. Bijleveld-Schouten

 

Ever since NATIONtalk, under pressure, was removed from the radio-station 98.1 Pearl F.M., we have been constantly approached by loyal listeners, who have problems accepting that fact and who are requesting us to start up our own radio-station.

We clearly understand that there is a tremendous need for the type information we have been providing to our community as well as beyond.

Therefore we wish to inform and assure you that we are committed to serving your needs for relevant information and will not abandon our efforts.

In the interim, and without going into details, we are very busy looking into a number of options, which will allow us to return to the air, more effectively and more independently.

To those interested in being a part of us once we manage to obtain a radio-license, you are kindly requested to contact us with your ideas.

Keep in touch,
-
Leopold James

‘Which SXM is doing well.......'

Dear Mrs. Emily de Jongh-Elhage
Let is hereby be recorded that this open question to you, is certainly not based on any disrespect towards the office of the Prime-minister of the Netherlands-Antilles, nor towards your person.
Quite to the contrary.
This questioned is directed to you in order to allow you the opportunity to clarify remarks attributed to you in the media that ‘SXM is doing well...'.
While anticipating your clarification, for many people on this island, these remarks given the reality of the island certainly can not go un-challenged, nor un-answered.
Although we for now, feel obliged to give you the benefit of the doubt, these remarks as published in the media come across not only being in-correct, hurtful, and un-realistic but worse yet
They come across yet as being extremely insensitive to the every day's hardship of the people of the island, their distrust in the Executive-council of this island and therefore as defending and ‘propping up' the almost non-existing credibility of the People of this island as well as of many in the Dutch Government in the Government of this island.
Therefore, with all due respect to you, we hereby strongly and immediately refute the perception created that ‘SXM is doing well', to prevent them ever become ‘set in stone' and ‘live a life of their own'.
In addition, based on the resulting sentiments from many St. Martiners and other law-abiding residents, we are faced with no other choice than, in the strongest words refute the notion expressed by you, that ‘SXM is doing well...'.
In order for you to understand this reaction, you should come to grips with the reality that there are various kinds of ‘SXM's on this island.. yes, there are.
There is for instance the ‘SXM' of the rich, of the poor, of the malafide investors, of the bonafide investors, of the crooked-, greedy, corrupt politicians, of the few honest politicians, of the marginalized natives, of the criminals, of the illegal immigrant-community, of the law-abiding residents, of the ‘lagoonies', the ‘dumpies', the ‘Low-landers', ‘under-ground- tax-evading businesses' not to mention of the many ‘national associations', of the ‘Bombay-merchants' on Front-and Back street', of the ‘Gypsies' of the many ‘new founded churchies', just too name a few....
The slogan of this Government confirms this total lack of integration 'One country, many cultures.....'
So when you in your capacity of Prime-minister state that ‘SXM is doing well', depending on which ‘SXM' you are referring to, you might be right or wrong.
Since, however according to you, ‘SXM is doing well...' the ‘SXM' referred to here, based on the reality on ‘ground zero' can only be the ‘SXM' of the corrupt politicians...
The ‘SXM' in which with a member of Government is under indictment, possibly to be jailed, with others under a cloud of suspicion and alleged investigation ........
The same ‘SXM' in which a commissioner was involved in funding a foundation in which commissioners spouse was president and who had to report to same commissioner.
The ‘SXM' in which the ‘Leader of Government' refused to accept the resignation of the Commissioner who was involved, simply in order to stay in Government to conduct ‘business as usual'
The ‘SXM' of which members of the Executive-council use all kinds of pressure to prevent the people of the island to make good use of their own properties, but who at the same time brake every possible law in the books, to grant building permits to malafide investors with ‘long' and ‘deep pockets'.
The ‘SXM' in which politicians are un-able to represent the interest of the people, because they are allegedly are on the ‘payrolls' of those who paid for their election.

Could it be, madam that the Prime-minister of the Netherlands-Antilles de facto is also complimenting the very same ‘SXM', about which so many reports have been published, ranging from the Bakhuis-, the Pourier-report and most recently the WODC-report which are just the tip of the iceberg ?
The same ‘SXM' in whose Executive-Council, the PEOPLE have absolutely NO confidence, reason why Government is denying the people their DEMOCRATIC right to ratify the outcome of the referendum ?
Is the Prime-minister of the Netherlands-Antilles, publicly complimenting the same ‘SXM' in which there is a lot of anger, frustration, much like the situation that precipitated the social revolt in Curacao on ‘Treinta di Mei', a date I am sure has a historical significance to the people of Curacao ?
Doesn't the Prime-minister remember that before ‘Treinta di Mei', the ‘Curacao' of the ‘upper-class', the bourgeoisie and political elite were doing extremely well.........at the expense of the grass-roots ‘yu Korsow' ?
Mrs. De Jongh-Elhage, could you explain if the Prime-minister of the Netherlands -Antilles is really commending the ‘SXM' in which brazen, hard-core criminality and violence is becoming the order of the day diminishing our safety and securiy and our quality of life in general ?.
Is this the ‘SXM' that according to the Prime-minister is ‘doing well..' and ready for ‘country status'.
Gimme a break Emily and let us get real !
The people of St. Maarten are no fools and they recognize a ‘set-up' when they see it.
Show me you company and I will tell you who you, are is a saying that still applies these days.
So, now for the record, madam Prime-minister.
Let us now consider an ‘other' SXM., not the post-card one, visitors ‘fall in love with'.
A ‘SXM', perhaps even the Prime-minister does not know.
The ‘SXM' of the grass-roots, native-indigenous People, for whom ‘country-status', without guarantees and protection, means de facto their formal marginalization, final-solution, demise, and extinction by means of genocide by substitution.
Could it be that the Prime-minister feels more comfortable and compatible with the ‘SXM' of our ‘Leader of Government, of Theo Heyliger, of Maria Buncamper and of others, as opposed to the ‘SXM' of ‘we, the grass-roots people' of this island with deep ancestral roots on this ‘rock' ?
In other words, does the Prime- minister believe that ‘SXM is doing well...' , because she feels part of that ‘SXM' that excludes, abandons and betrays its own native-indigenous St. Martiners and intends to lead them to the ‘slaughter-house' by means of a ‘one-way ticket' aboard the ‘status-train'.
Dear ‘Emily', please tell us WHICH ‘SXM' in your opinion is doing so well...'
Meanwhile, time will tell that, separate-status or no separate-status, eventually on ‘ground-zero', it will not be the politicians who have sold out our birth-rights who will rule, it will be the PEOPLE.

Respectfully awaiting your clarification to the people of this island, so it will not be up to others to ‘put words' in your respected mouth.

Leopold JAMES
President SNBF /Association L' Esprit de Concordia and
One proud, native-indigenous St. Martiner without any apologies.

To publish, or not to publish Letters to the editor............prerogative of news-papers

This is a response to many who wonder why certain local St. Maarten newspapers do not always publish my letters to the editor.
Most recent example is my letter to the editor sent to the Daily Herald on Monday, March 2, 2009, entitled 'Unpaid adviser....welcome to the club'.
I too, have the same question and have experienced this decision to decline publication of letters to the editor by the local media on too many occasions to mention.
However please let me make my position on this issue clear.
I respect that it is the right of the news-paper editor to publish any such letter completely to his/her discretion.
In other word, an letter to the editor, may completely be ignored by the editor.
Also,a letter sent to the editor maybe published at a time of choice of editor.
As a result of this choice, letter in question may be published much later, making its contents completely irrelevant to the reader, thereby undermining the seriousness, the credibility and even the very sanity of the writer.In addition, newspaper's editor has the right to edit the contents of the letter to the editor, to the extent that it no longer reflects the author's original formulation, again making the reader question the mind of the writer of the letter.
Let us take it a step further.
It is also alleged that certain papers, before publishing certain letters to the editor, 'tip off' the person who is subject of the letter, and allows that person to respond and still not publish the original letter to the editor.
All of these options provide every news-paper editor with the power of selectivity, bias and prejudice.
Mind you, I do not accuse any particular news paper of any such malpractices perse.
What my intention is here, is to give an account to the many people who wonder why at times articles they know I published on our own website, www.stmartinnation.org and that are also published on www.smn-news.com NOt published in all daily news papers.
In addition, it is my intention to inform those who would like to make use of their democratic rights to express their views in a letter to the editor in the local media, what 'pitholes' might lie ahead.
In the future, I will also include the e-mail addresses of daily news-papers when I mail my letters to the editor to the local news-outlets.
Whether or not the Daily Herald or Today chooses to publish these letters in their printed news-papers is their choice and their right, which I will respect, though not necessarily agree with.
And likewise, it is the choice of the public to buy or not to buy certain news papers.
You be the judge.
In ending my thanks to the TODAY news-paper for having printed my letter to the editor in its edition of today, Thursday, March 5, 2009.
Love you,

Leopold JAMES
Native-indigenous St. Martiner with apologies.

Fellow citizens of St. Maarten,

Since decades, many local, native St. Martin people have been feeling the negative consequences of the over-development on their very existence on their own island.
Therefore, we can certainly empathize with your present legitimate issue as a consequence of what you term in your ad, the 'illegal' (travel Inn Condos) project at the Simpson Bay Corner.
More than that, we would also love to join with you and others in making our collaborative contribution towards a more sustainable development on the island, based on a 'win-win' principle for all stakeholders on this island.
However, the ongoing personal attacks and most recently false accusation in the local media, by one of your fellow residents of the district in question, Mr. Gerard BIJNSDORP, does not exactly contribute towards our support to your petition, nor of most other local St. Martin people.
Worse yet, as long as Mr. BIJNSDORP continues to spew his vile comments towards my person, such could in fact BACKFIRE on any sympathy and support from local St. Martin people for your cause, beacuse many link him with you as a protest-group.
Consequently, any perceived link between you as petitioners and outraged citizens and the personal attacks by Mr. BIJNSDORP on Leopold JAMES can possibly implicate you in regards to possibly legal actions against his false accusations that I was the 'graffiti artist' who posted the text on the sign-board.
It is up to you to make your position clear viz a viz Mr. BIJNSDORP.
We will will respond accordingly.
In ending and for the record however, let it be known that we sympathize with your efforts and hope that our willingness to support your petition will not be undermined by persons, with personal agendas.

Wishing you success with your petition.
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

This open letter is to publicly inform you of my intentions to meet with the Public-prosecutor on Thursday, February 26, 2009 to file charges against Mr. Gerard BIJNSDORP for falsely implicating in a letter to the editor, my person as having vandalized your sign-board.
In the last two sentences of his letter, Mr. BIJNSDORP writes (Quote) ;' I strongly believe that vandalism has to be punished. Therefore I advise prosecutor Taco Stein to lift U.A. from his bed and interrogate him'..(end quote).
According to legal minds, as well based on my own personal experience, such act of vandalism is indeed punishable by law and therefore I have been advised to take this case very seriously.
Needless to emphasize that in the event Mr. BIJNSDORP belongs to the group of signatories of this petition, that the negative publicity of a possible litigation, will not necessary contribute to the cause of the petitioners to say the least.

Respectfully Yours,

Leopold JAMES

The name of this article is purposely chosen to establish the fact whether our island and its people are actually the beneficiaries of economic growth or the victims of evil greed.
For me to do just that I must first bring the following facts to our reader's attention on this matter namely that:
1) this article is not intended to start any discussion with our "good Samaritans" in
government who should be looking after our affairs in the name of good governance with accountability, so the article is not about talking to or with our weasels but rather about their poor and perverse performance in government.
2) this article will expose the stark difference in opinion between people's and
politician's perception on good governance with accountability.
Another fact that I will like to establish is the dread difference in meaning between the words growth and greed.
1) growth in general term means tolerable expansion or increase in size or numbers.
2) greed in general term means having a desire for more than one needs or deserve.
Another fact that I will like to establish is the meaning of the word economy.
The word economy in general term means:
1) the welfare state of our island and its people.
Let us now see how we can apply economic growth and evil greed and good governance with accountability in our present situation on St.Maarten.
• Signs, signals and sights of stress.
No one can deny that our island has not experienced uncontrolled development as it relates to numerous projects being realized.
At the same time no one can deny that most of the people of the island has not benefited from the very same uncontrolled development when we consider the welfare state or in simple words the quality of life which has not been able to improve with this development as a classical example: the majority of workers still earns the minimum wage as a standard wage income.
No one can deny that the infrastructure of the island has not been able to improve or accommodate the uncontrolled development and as a result of this it remains lagging behind such as: traffic congestion, over crowded schools, shanty towns, crime increase, diminishing labour opportunities, unpaid hospital bills, uncontrolled immigration influx etc etc etc.
• Projects and people in harmony with the environment.
One will expect that government through careful and thrifty management should govern in a responsible fashion by striking a balance between developing of projects on the one hand and improving the quality life of people on the other hand in harmony with the environment.
• Obvious observations.
1) What we really see is a continued and uncontrolled development of projects built by
minimum wage labourers at the expense of our environment and at the satisfaction
of our politicians.
2) There is no balance between projects on the one hand and people and environment on
the other hand.
• History reveals and reminds:
That because of our politicians' custom, cult and culture are boldly bordered or bounded on favours and kickbacks we conclude the following:
• Credible conclusion.
The fact that the growth is not a tolerable expansion or increase in size or numbers but rather sucks, stinks, smacks and smells of having a dread desire for more than one needs or deserves we can then safely and surely speak of: Evil greed rather than economic growth.

Mr.Edwin James.

I will like to address this article to a specific group of civil servants who really stands out way above all the other public employees in government service for been able to accumulate such awesome and personal wealth within the shortest period of time.
Yes, we like to give these weasels their flowers while they too are still alive for looking after their own interests and not those of the people whom they should be serving in the first and foremost place.
Yes, we are all aware of the fact that many of these very same privileged and public employees do occupy prominent positions in government offices and as such are well within their reach of helping themselves religiously and royally.
Yes, we do get the impression of these privileged and public employees that in their mind they are absolutely not being selfish but rather securing their future in getting all what they can get now in other words taking good care of themselves while they still can.
In this respect there seems to be absolutely no differences between commissioners and their cronies.
• commissioners and their cronies.
Cronies are meant here to be the close companions of the commissioners.
Colleagues, cronies, chums or comrades are all the same.
I will now address the Spatial Development & Management Department better known as the Public Works Department because it is now the most talked about government office where apparently favours are being exchanged for monies.
Yes, there are all reasons to believe that there is something amiss with the proper functioning of this department.
Yes, there are appearances and evidences indicating of concrete corruption infested in this department.
Yes, there are all signs, signals and even sounds calling for an indebt investigation regarding questionable activities implicating cronies who are addicted to their cult, custom and culture of corruption in this department.
• Plugging peepholes and loopholes.
Now we learnt that commissioners are warning their cronies not to steal because government hates competition by plugging peep and loopholes to end corruption!!!!!
• hassle and harassment.
1) It is a known fact that there are cronies within this department who find it very
delightful to hassle and harass descent people who go through hell just to get a permit
to build.
2) It is a known fact that many people wait for a very long time to obtain building
permits or to get domain land while others who knows the subtle secret achieve this
in record time.
• awful and amazing accomplishments.
1) It is a known fact that there are many people who have been waiting for years to get
domain land while others who happen to sit in privileged positions are able to arrange
getting domain land for themselves such as in Saunders, Salt Pond etc etc etc.
2) When and while people are compelled to stick to the building requirements others
in privileged positions thumb their thumbs and twitch their noses at the building
requirements and do as they please.
3) It seems then only when you are an egg head, mug head, bead head, lean head or
even a jug head you will be able to get domain land on the Salt pond area and Saunders etc and build hassle and harass free such as direct on the LB Scott public road with no parking arrangements or facilities.
• credible conclusion.
It doesn't take then a genie or a genius to figure out that money talks and bull s..t walks when one needs to get a permit or domain land at this public works stock exchange department where you can meet egg head, mug head, bead head, lean head, jug head or the companions, colleagues, comrades, chums and cronies of the commissioners.

Mr. Edwin James.

This is a response to attached article that appeared in the TODAY newspaper of Friday, March 20, 2009 under the heading 'James seeks prosecution of driftwood artist Bijnsdorp'.

Apart form the fact that this particular article 'reeks' and 'smacks' of genuine neo-colonial arrogance, combined with a 'dash' of deliberate and cheap simplicity, I will deal with it more in depth in due time in the appropriate setting.
For those who did not know why the editor of the TODAY-paper always defends the 'driftwood-artists', both Mr. BIJNSDORP and Mr. HAAR editor of the TODAY news-paper are 'cut from the same Dutch European cloth'.
For now let me suffice by informing those gold-and other fortune seekers, neo-pirates and imported failures from elsewhere, who flock our coast, that their efforts to intimidate and ridicule us for defending our country is not only futile, but extremely transparent as well.
Let me put that observation in historical context.

Growing up as a Black child in Aruba, that was born on St. Maarten, like many of my contemporaries, I too was exposed to and became extremely familiar with the condescending, colonial attitude of many (certainly not all ) Dutch European teachers.

No, YOU can not do that, no that is too difficult for YOU, no a teacher is high enough for YOU, no YOU can never make the HBS, let alone dream of going to the university.

Starting your own business ?

Crazy, go work for a boss.

So, the 'Master' systematically made sure to cut down your aspirations anytime they were considered by HIM to be 'above your level and potential'.

Sound familiar you say ?

Although that is piece of history, such practice and thinking still lingers on up to this day as can be witnessed by the 'tone' of this article.
It 'reeks' of ridicule, sarcasm as if it was written too 'sophisticatedly' for WE to comprehend !.

Having been exposed to it in the past, when we hear it, when we see it, when we smell it and when we it READ it, we recognize it for what it is....colonial condescension, plain and simple.

Now, what has been my 'life's-experience' to this type of systematic, colonial demoralization you ask ?

Simple and without any dispute.
Most of all, I have developed an unshakable and in-destructible self-confidence, pride and dignity which increases dramatically when faced with evil minds.

In addition, in Holland, unlike most Dutch people themselves, I received a university degree in Biology, built my own home in the process giving employment to Dutch workers.
I have taught Biology and Chemistry on practically all levels of education in HOLLAND, country of birth of both gentlemen in question.
My students were not only youngsters of all ages, but adult women and men as well.
Back on St. Maarten, like it or not, I was the founding director of the HAVO and VWO and was the 'boss' of one Gerard BIJNSDORP.
Clearly, this experience has had a traumatic impact on the mind of the self-proclaimed 'driftwood-artist', who never apparently was emotionally capable to process the fact that his boss was a BLACK St. Martiner, with a much higher degree than him and who never denied his native-indigenous St. Martin heritage like others did.
In ending, let the conclusion be that neither Mr. HAAR nor his confrere Mr. BIJNSDORP, are in any position to lecture me, nor to set any tone for me.
To do that, they simply miss the minimal required 'intellectual load' and worse yet, they lack any moral, and historical justification.

Dus, het zal mij worst wezen wat jullie van mij denken jongens.
(I could not care less what you boys think of me )

Indeed you guessed it right again; it is me.

Leopold JAMES
Proud, native indigenous St. Martiner without apologies.

O sorry, I almost forgot......

I will make sure 'driftwood-artist', that you people back home in PIJNACKER, Holland also can enjoy your 'works of wonder', by forwarding our
proceedings to them as well, just like you are granting me that favor in my own home-country
'Wattatin' bu.

Until the next mail.

Last week we learned that the funds being allocated for tourism promotion has been cut unfortunately from Naf.6.2 million to Naf.4.2 million, or two million guilders less. The marketing funds are coming from the Social Economic Initiative (SEI) and the cutback will allow for the introduction of several unspecified economic stimulus projects.

With the allocated funds and a private sector contribution, an attractive promotional campaign for our island nation should also book results.

Like many other Caribbean destinations, everybody is marketing in order to attract visitors for the coming months. A US$1.3 million marketing campaign by the U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I.) Department of Tourism has already booked some results. According to tourism officials, they are finding a desire to travel among potential visitors, provided that they can take advantage of a high value offer.

The program has approximately 1,400 room nights, and within the first 96 hours of the campaign, close to 300 nights was sold. The U.S.V.I. campaign is looking at capturing summer and fall travellers. The booking window for the campaign started in November for travel June 1 through September 30.

The main campaign focus is on savings for the traveller such as complimentary nights, a US$300 air credit, US$50 worth of certificates for attractions, US$50 dining certificate, and a coupon booklet valued at more than US$500 to those who book the offer.

Advertising is being done via print and broadcast outlets and retail partnerships; in April a national radio campaign will debut along with a TV advertising campaign in June; all advertising to support the offer will feature a call-to-action to book through one of the territory's major airline partners; a segment filmed on St. Thomas will also air on 157 stations on the CW network's "Daily Buzz, a popular national morning show.

Here is some additional positive news; according to the February Travel Horizons Survey, the U.S. Traveller Sentiment Index rose to 90.2 per cent in February 2009 from 78.2 per cent in October 2008 due to an increase in the perceived affordability of travel.

The spike in the perceived affordability of travel appears to be a direct result of many travel suppliers' recent efforts to stimulate short-term demand through the aggressive promotion of discounted fares and rates, some of which are up to 50 per cent off the prices being quoted just six months ago.

IPK International reported at the recently March held ITB World Travel Convention in Berlin, Germany, that based on 500,000 travel interviews in 58 countries around the world, IPK suggested that 2009 will see travel declines in most markets, with 2010 neutral and small growth likely in 2011 and 2012.

European travellers are likely to switch to domestic travel, travel for shorter periods of time, choose cheaper destinations, or spend less while on holiday. IPK predicts that all of Latin America will record economic growth and travel demand growth, even in 2009.

St. Maarten's tourism authorities will be focusing on boosting airlift from key markets, and more promotion in South America, which is in line with current international travel trends as can be seen from the IPK information.

Dutch representatives should move quickly to approve the funds so the island's promotional campaign can begin.

Roddy Heyliger

Clearly, Mr. Gerard BIJNSDORP alias 'Free adviser', alias 'driftwood-artist' is a 'wannabe Jack of all trades' who has found 'paradise' on 'Friendly-island' and he never wants to immigrate back to his cold, cloudy and rainy country.
To secure that his stay in paradise is not jeopardized, he wants to make sure that the natives St. Martiners remain unaware of how they are losing their paradise and their first-rights to it.
Especially at a time when St. Martiners are being confronted with so many threats to their very existence, the total disregard of this so-called 'drift-wood artist' for the intellectuals and leaders of this island should not be seen as innocently 'joking' around.
On the contrary, his constant attempts to ridicule our intellectuals, is a very old colonial and extremely calculated strategy to discourage St. Martiners for speaking out about developments they are concerned about in this their own land or to even aspire to be whatever they want in their own country.
His most recent public and false accusation that Mr Leopold JAMES, vandalized a sign board of a resort under construction in Billy Folley, Simpson-Bay, is 'one step too far'.
Vandalism is a criminal act according to the Dutch penal system.
For the editor of the TODAY news-paper, Mr. HAAR also a Dutchman to now suggest that the public accusation of the 'driftwood artist' was just a 'joke', clearly is intended to protect his country-man for possible prosecution for libel and/or slander
Should the prosecutor regard that false accusation of a criminal act as a 'joke' as well, then certainly he will have lots of jurisprudence and precedence to deal with.
To discuss this topic and many related aspects, join host Billy D. HAMLET who will have Leopold JAMES as guest on his program next week,
DATE; Tuesday, march 42, 2009
TIME; Starting 9.00 a.m.
RADIO-STATION; S.O.S 95.9 F.M.
Number to call 05 90 510045

Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

Young, dynamic, independent and creative St. Martiners, who are interested in a career in all aspects of radio from start, to full operation and beyond.
Contact Leopold JAMES 54 43512 or 5260065 or Jesse ADAMS 06 90 885223
or mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Closer to home now.

How long does the Executive-council of St. Maarten think it can continue
to carry on business as usual and run the island like a personal
enterprise, before the 'hammer' of Higher Supervision comes down with a
bang on Government ?

That day might be much closer than many politicians would want to
believe and the population might want nothing more than such
intervention, in order to 'clean up the mess' and to allow for a new
generation of leaders to step up to the plate.

Regardless of how hard Government is trying to sell its 'Country Status
message', the distrust against Government in virtually every sector of
society is escalating, beyond repair and people would simply like to see
this Government placed under Higher Supervision and investigated.

Food for thought !


Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

1. Commissioner Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS
2. President Frantz GUMBS
3. Lt.-Governor Franklyn RICHARD
Re; Where is your pride-, and dignity as St. Martin People.

It is often said that pictures convey a powerful message.
Just one of the many cases in point.
See attachment picture on the front-page of the Daily Herald of Thursday, March 12, 2009.

Now, please be so kind as to give the People of this island an honest and direct answer to any, or preferably all of the following questions and more..
1. Do you think these so-called vendors are our own native St. Martiners, and if not, who do you think (and actually KNOW) they are ?
2. Could they be the same People who flood this country non-stop, produce children simply in order to claim every possible right of our land, in the process making the natives a minority ?
3. Is this 'run-down', slum image they are creating at will for our island, precisely that image we having been working for so hard for and paying so much to market the 'Friendly island' ?
4. What is the 'added value' of these vendors, Commissioner BUNCAMPER-MOLANUS once talked about as condition for immigrants-workers to the island ?
5. Do you think (which you know is not the case) St. Martin people would be allowed to go to the countries of these people and do the same, which is to bring it down and to move in front of the natives there and call that development ?
6. What is Government planning to do about these type of people, who feel so much at liberty,(because they find us plainly 'stupid'), to set up 'businesses' consisting of a few blocks and some wooden board,(open all hours of the day including on our Sabbath) and call them vending shops anywhere alongside the road ?
7. Has President GUMBS, ever noticed an entire 'side-walk super-market' a la Haiti, established at the round-about in Agrement ? Is that what we should be proud of and tolerate OTHERS to do, what WE ourselves do not do ?
8. Do you know that at that round-about, more and more Haitians are creating a run-down 'Haiti styled Shopping Mall', where sometimes, huge chunks of goat-meat is displayed in the open air, sun exposed with zillions of flies buzzing around ?

In ending, when are you really going to ACT as our leaders, defending our ancestral-rights, our traditions, our norms and values and giving content to our new status having significant content and protection for the natives of this island.

What example are you to our young native St. Martiners, who lack support ?

Time is running out and we are getting tired of those in authority who do not have the pride, dignity and courage to stand up for their own, if they know who they are...others know for sure and proudly show it, even if they are in our country.

Step up to the plate, before it is too late and we allow for others to establish a version of their 'Banana-Republic' right in our face..

Proud native-indigenous, without apologies,

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

I will address this issue of our Commissioners and their collective responsibilities indebt as to properly understand where the buck should stop whenever there is an unfortunate situation involving any commissioner regarding criminal activities in government.
It is important to know who should take the fall whenever a commissioner is being charged with and condemned for conducting improper actions while holding public office.
People should be properly informed that whenever a member of government especially in the Executive Council is being officially indicted on corruptive charges who should then take full responsibility of such a mishap at the end of the day.
In order to know who should then be ultimately responsible for the fate of such a member in the Executive Council we must first understand the responsibilities of government as a body and the individual members in government.
• Commissioners and their collective responsibilities.
We will first address the issue of collective responsibilities regarding the commissioners.
1) The Executive Council consists of all commissioners and is the sole body that is only
authorized to grant and reject permits.
2) Granting and rejection of permits are done in a joint fashion by commissioners in the
Executive Council and not otherwise.
3) Because of this procedure commissioners should all be aware of the granting and the
rejection of permits.
4) In all cases then, where commissioners are being officially charged with corruptive
practices in government, their associates should also be charged as accomplices and
co- signatories to these questionable documents and should have had foreknowledge
of something being amiss or something does not add up and therefore should have
called for an investigation in this matter.
But would the devil investigate the demon is another question????
So the granting and rejection of permits is a collective responsibility of the Executive Council.
• Obvious observation.
"Leader of government" you too are also perhaps an accomplice in the fraud and forgery case with uncle Louie in the signing and granting of the relevant and questionable permits as a member in the Executive Council.
Commissioner Sarah Wescot Williams, as "leader of government" it behooves you to remain prudent in order to avoid any more embarrassments from your corruptive administration and we demand and deserve good governance with accountability.
• Commissioners with their individual responsibilities.
Now we will address the commissioner's individual responsibilities.
Any commissioner who uses his or her position as a commissioner in influencing the Executive Council to grant or reject a permit in return for receiving personal favors is grossly guilty by law for accepting bribes.
The fact that a commissioner accepts bribe he or her can no longer hide behind the Executive Council's collective responsibilities but rather will be charged on his or her individual responsibility for violating the law on bribery.
Such a commissioner will be most naturally left out in the cold by him or herself when all hell breaks loose or when the sh...t hits the fan!
Here is where and when his or her accomplices, associates or co-sponsors part and go their separate ways leaving their embattled buddy to fend or fight for his or her political career.
• Back or whip lash.
But the danger accomplices, associates or co-sponsors face for leaving their embattled buddy behind to fend and fight tooth and nail in an attempt to hang on to his or her political career is, that at any given moment he or she may cooperate with the justice department in striking a deal in getting lesser punishment for implicating others who are even more guilty than them.
After all we all know that the Titanic didn't went down alone.
• Credible Conclusion.
So commissioners be aware of what can be your perils, pitfalls and other problems regarding:

Collective and individual responsibilities.

Mr.Edwin James.

In attached newspaper clipping taken from the TODAY-newspaper of Wednesday, March 18, 2009, Mr. Gerard BIJNSDORP, aka as the 'Unpaid Adviser' accuses my person Leopold JAMES of having vandalized the Travel Inn Sign in Simpson-bay.
An anonymous 'graffiti artist' signed this art-work entitled 'Crime by Theo + Rob.bers with the abbreviation U.A.
In addition, in attached letter to the editor, Mr BIJNSDORP stated, that vandalism should be punished by Mr. Taco STEIN the Chief-prosecutor on St. Maarten.
On that point I am in full consensus with the self proclaimed 'Unpaid-Adviser' and 'Driftwood-artist'
It is certainly no ambition of mine to waste any time on attempting to 'unravel' the mental labyrinths and the intentions of Mr. BIJNSDORP; that I will leave up to the psychiatrists and psych-analysts.
However, since this good gentleman has taken his personal tirade against me to a next level, by publicly making false accusation, I Leopold JAMES, intend to contact the Prosecutors-office for further steps and will report my findings back to the public.

Copy to Mr. Taco STEIN, Chief Public-prosecutor,

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

This article will address the questionable actions and hidden agendas possible linked to a commissioner in the executive council on our island.
People are just sick and tired of the perverted performance of these weasels in government who are just there for the sake of their personal benefits and interests rather than that of the people whom they should be in the first and foremost place representing in government.
Their performance continues to border on everything except good governance with accountability and therefore smacks, smells and stinks of the presence of corruption everywhere in this administration.
In keeping with this revelation the song of Who is next is right on the button or on the mark regarding the falling of our political hooligans and hypocrites in government.
It is my deliberate intention to start revealing all of the awful, amazing and corrupted actions involving these weasels in the dp's administration who are constantly engaged in undermining locals and their business establishments on this island.
It is no secret that these corrupt commissioners hold their assigned and protected areas of business very close to their hearts and will do whatever to protect these petty political projects at all cost even if it means to put others out off business.
This article will focus on commissioner golden boy regarding part of his little kingdom called the bold wattleys walk another of his petty political projects.
Why, because I am a sincere believer in giving people their flowers while they are still alive.
But I do understand that some of these "good Samaritans" are so humble that they will not publicly accept this honour that I am about to bestow on them that is exposing their corruption publicly.
• Petty political projects.
1) When I listen to the jingle on radio I vividly recognize the voices singing "we are the board walk" and it is not the "willies" in the country singing that favourite chorus or tune but it is that of the "wattleys" in Philipburg.
2) When we recall the drama surrounding the popular crane at the harbour we realized that it was not again owned by the "willies" in the country but linked to the "wattleys" in Philipsburg.
3) When we read about the problem between St.Maarten Port Services and Tropical
Shipping we soon realize that the only other local shipping agency stands to benefit from the attempted contractual termination was not that of the "willies" in the country but Intermar Shipping Agency possible linked to the "wattleys" in Philipsburg.
4) When we notice the extension of the board walk or better known as the bold wattleys walk right down to Great Bay hotel we come to one conclusion that greed is very difficult to get rid off.
• Explicit exercise.
This revelation or explicit exercise reveals and reminds us of the following:
1) That we should give our "humble" hooligans their flowers while they are still alive even though they may publicly refuse this blessing we bestow on them.

2) That these "humble" hooligans are not able to cover or conceal their tracks because they are like beach boys walking on the beach leaving their hand, finger and footprints all over the place ending up at their final destination called court house.
• Credible conclusion.
Thanks to our justice system that the judge condemned Tropical Shipping to pay St.Maarten Port Services a hefty fine each day Tropical Shipping refuses to honour the contract but to the possible dismay, disappointment or disdain of Intermar Shipping Agency and this judicial action I dare call:

Applying of Appropriate Actions.

Mr.Edwin James.

...

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, says she fully supports the initiative of the Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL) initiative of "Stretch the Dollar."

The programme encourages the purchase of food items in bulk at wholesale prices, therefore saving members the mark-up costs before the products hit store shelves.

The concept was tabled during a recent WIFOL Working Women Committee's meeting during which the economic recession in the United States and its potential effects on the local economy were discussed.

"I commend the WIFOL Women's Committee and its President Theophilus Thompson for coming forth with such an initiative and not waiting on government to come with plans. The private sector is an innovative sector that can develop various programs for its employees in order for our island nation to be able to survive this challenge.

"As I have recently stated, it's a shared responsibility that is required by the nation to get us through this difficult period. I encourage other organizations within society to also come with various programs and initiatives that will help our people. Our resilience as a people will be the backbone that will allow us to endure and ultimately overcome these challenging times.

"The economic summit this week should result in a comprehensive plan being developed with the input of all stakeholders thereby steering us through these turbulent times," Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

Philipsburg: --- Officials at the Dutch Tourist Office is amifted with the Heineken regatta team since they did not see any of their logos or that of the island government or the tourist bureau in their promotional material. Government has promised to supply at least $100,000 for the hosting of the 2009 Heineken Regatta but to date Tourism Commissioner Roy Marlin has not delivered the monies. It is understood that Marlin kept saying the monies are in the budget but to date Heineken has not seen the much needed funds.

Reports reaching SMN News indicate that there is some level of dissatisfaction particularly at Tourist Office.
An advertisement as recent as yesterday in the local media reflected the sponsorship of the St. Maarten Yacht Club, Chippie, and Heineken, but nowhere on that advertisement was there a logo or mention of government or the tourist bureau.
SMN News was unable to get a comment from the commissioner or Director of the Tourist Office Regina Labega. Efforts to contact Heather Tackling also proved futile.

Cupe Coy: --- A helicopter that is attached to the Heineken Regatta went down in the Cupe Coy area just after 11am. While some of the information that is being received right now is conflicting. It is understood that male person and two women and the pilot on board where he was conducting a cruise. While other information states that the helicopter in fact is attached to the Heineken Regatta. This media house also understands the helicopter took off from the L'Esperance airport in Grand Case and they were filming a yacht when the it began encountering engine problems.

It is understood that the four occupants who was on board the aircraft at the time it went down was rescued by some sailors that was passing in the area. Three occupants who are said to be VIP have escaped unharmed. It is also understood that the aircraft encountered some engine problems and the pilot chose to land the in the water, parts of the helicopter caught fire after it landed. The aircraft stayed afloat after the landing.
Members of the rescue operations from the coast guard safely towed the aircraft away. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson who was on the scene said he is busy gathering information on the accident. He said so far no one was seriously injured and that the pilot is expected to make a statement shortly.

 

Philipsburg:---A group of students from the MPC, the VSBO-TKL section, toured the Government Administration Building throughout the day, to get hands-on experience about what the Island Government and its apparatuses are about.

But before the tour, the students were provided with a welcoming address from Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams.

It is a pleasure to have you here in the conference room, where the meetings of the Executive Council take place. Here is where we deliberate on the issues that affect the island; it takes place in a private setting, compared to the Island Council meetings.

"Here is only part of what we do; Government is larger that what we see. There is not an aspect of your life that Government does not affect in one way or the other," Commissioner Wescot-Williams said, "So it is crucial you make knowing about government your business. Get informed, know the issues. The Government is proud of the youngsters who go out into the world and study, then come back to work in Government." "Government is about service to the people," the commissioner reaffirmed.

The next speaker was Joane Dovale-Meit, Island Secretary, who spoke about the organization of the Government and the many functions of her office, which supports, facilitates and advises the Island Council, the Executive council, and the Lt. Governor-Franklin Richards. Government, Dovale-Meit said, serves the people, without such a government cannot run. Especially now, it is exciting to be in government, for not every day you see a country in the making.

A recent graduate of MPC, and now a Junior Administrative worker in the Island Secretary's office, also gave an account of her experience in government.

Valeta Brown started out in the Business Outreach Placement program, a government sponsored program, along with the private sector, to provide work-study for pre- and exam students during the vacation periods in June/July.

After her exams, Valeta started working fulltime, doing such tasks as: assisting in preparing for Island and Executive Council meetings, recording of the Island and Central Government meetings, Ordering supplies, checking mail, assisting co-workers when needed, among other tasks.

She said that it is a good experience because you get insight on what is going on first hand, not just by hearing about it. It is a wonderful challenge, Valeta said.

Philipsburg:---This week all FBE schools will receive copies of the book "The History and Fantastic Legends of the Caribbean - The home of the spirits" part 1 by Claude Maudoux.
The new and authentic book for children was made on our island. The book focuses on the history and culture of our island and has a special feature that allows the reader to participate in a treasure hunt on the Internet.

Social Studies and Culture & Artistic Development are two of the eight educational areas that have been introduced with the implementation of FBE. It is with this in mind that DERPI has deemed it fitting to purchase copies of this book for all FBE schools on St Maarten.

Ms. Oralie Boirard, representing DERPI along with Mr. Maudoux and his colleague will visit all the schools and make the presentation to the school directors. Mr. Maudoux is also offering his services to the schools by giving a demonstration to the students on how to play the treasure hunt game on the Internet.

The funding for the purchasing of the books was provided through the USONA funds.

Philipsburg:---- Commissioner responsible for Education Sarah Wescot-Williams, was updated about developments at the University of St. Martin (USM) on Wednesday morning by the USM board headed by President Lockie Johnson.
This dialogue between the Commissioner and USM board takes place periodically and as Commissioner Wescot-Williams pointed out, "It was important to get these updates to remain abreast of developments pertaining to the islands tertiary institution which has been playing a very important role in the community for close to 20-years."
Ninety-five persons have obtained associates and bachelors degrees in such areas as General Liberal Arts, Business, Computer Science and Education between and including 2004 and 2006.
The commissioner was updated about the goals of the board, strategic planning, financial matters, fund-raising efforts, the completion of the second phase, open house/graduation plans, USM's continued efforts to secure accreditation, an update on staff and faculty matters at USM, and other steps to be taken to keep USM moving forward.
The six goals that the board and six USM committees are working towards are: to ensure the provision of quality accredited degrees at USM; steward the concept and activities of higher education on St. Maarten and for country St. Maarten; develop the financial picture of USM and secure needed funding; enrich the community through the further development of public programs and create a public program pillar at USM; assess and assure the quality of the functioning of the Leadership Team; and to develop additional safe, functional facilities for all activities at USM including classrooms, offices and library space.
The six committees are Executive, Academic, Audit, Building, Fundraising and Public Service, Management, Budget and Compensation.
"This type of exchange is necessary and promotes transparency and good governance, which are essential checks and balances, also for educational institutions. Presentations made by the board members were to the point and very informative," Commissioner of Education Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).
Also present in the meeting was Interim Sector Director of Education & Welfare Claudette Forsythe-Labega. USM board members present were President Lockie Johnson, Secretary Danny Ramchandani, Treasurer Cees Jan Roos and Vice President Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet.

Philipsburg- Commissioner responsible for Gender Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, will be launching the ‘Strong Women' Organization on March 11 as part of International Women's Day celebrations.

The Strong Women organization is a celebration of women for the inner and outer strength they possess. It recognizes the strength women give to each other, their families and their communities.

The organization is being formed based on a pledge the Commissioner made at the network meeting of Strong Women in the Kingdom, held in Almere, Netherlands in 2008. At that time Commissioner Wescot was recognized as one of the strong women of the Kingdom and she introduced the idea of setting up a Strong Women organization, a female network in St. Maarten.

The soon to be launched ‘Strong Women' organization in St Maarten is based on the belief that by working together women can change the world. The Strong Women organization is a platform where women can work together to raise young girls to be the strong women of tomorrow.

"Its mission is to empower girls to believe in themselves and reach their full potential, to be Strong, Smart, and Bold. The ‘Strong Women' organization will expose young girls to key women in government and the community; successful women who are leaders in a range of areas, such as politics, business, banking, education, law, etc.

"It will provide inventive programs by highlighting female role models, introducing mentoring relationships, and organizing skill building activities to girls to build positive self-esteem and skills for life-long success.

"Strong Women will use the lessons learned from strong women within the community to encourage young girls to become strong women themselves. ‘Strong' indicates having career achievement as well as moral or intellectual power.

"It is expected that the organization will lead to a greater sense of empathy and caring for others, better relationships with family and community, and greater sense of responsibility for the society and the world in general," Commissioner of Gender Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told (GIS).

 

Philipsburg/TORTOLA-St. Maarten based sculptor Michael Meghiro unveiled one his latest work in the British Virgin Islands last weekend-a statue of Noel Lloyd, a prominent hero of the territory. This is the first major monument for the British Virgin Islands and according to Meghiro, there are more to come in the near future. The occasion was the ceremony for the renaming of the park in Palm Grove Park in Road Town, the capital of Tortola to the Noel Lloyd/Positive Action Movement Park.
As the monument was unveiled, the onlookers marveled at the magnificently, glowing bronze statue, that many remarked is resembles the Noel Llyod, the man who was to the BVI like Claude Wathey was to St. Maarten. Clearly, BV Islanders were thrilled to have their first monument and it was even a greater joy for Meghiro who said he was honored to have been afforded the opportunity to construct the monument that is important for Tortola and its citizens. "I feel very great, I feel honored," Meghiro said. He received a picture of Lloyd which he used to determine the likeness of the image before making the mold of the statue. For the past few days leading the unveiling, he has been doing the finishing work on the statue.
Lloyd was born in the British Virgin Islands in 1936 and served in the Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and early 1960s before he traveled to Kenya. He returned to the territory in the mid 1960s and was instrumental in the Positive Action Movement formed in 1968 to oppose the development by "Bates-Hill Company of Britain who bought out the local owner of an island in Road Town harbor called Wickham's Cay the new developers signed a 199 year lease and planned to restrict the entrance of locals onto the property. Llyod and the Sportive Action Movement vehemently opposed the move, staging protest marches that led to their arrests and at times beatings. The movement paid off when in 1971, the British government purchased the land and the lease agreement was nullified buys the Privy Council. Noel Lloyd passed away last year August but was assured before his death that the park would be renamed in his honor.
On hand to witness this historic occasion along with the many BV Islanders were Premier of the BVI Hon. Ralph T O'Neal, Lloyd's daughter Sarah Llyod Gomez, and the members of the positive Action Movement, most of which were part of the group in its initial stages in the 1960s.

HIGH PRAISES

 

Dignitaries and guests at last Sunday's function praised Meghiro for the excellent job he did on the monument. "Oh my goodness. It's a good likeness of Lloyd. It's a very good replica of him," Patsy Lake, one of the original members of the Positive Action Movement. She believes that people will have a greater appreciation of the fight of the Positive Action Movement during the struggle in the 1960s now that the monument is established in the park. Premier Ralph T O'Neal also agreed that the statue resembles Lloyd, having known him personally for years.
He believes the monument will the children of the territory realize what took place 40 years ago and generations will be reminded of and appreciate the work done back then. He said he was appreciative of the turnout and for those who participated in the event. "One of the shortcomings of the West Indies generally is we don't try to record (the history) so that those who come after us will know what the past generations went through," O'Neal said.
Noel Llyod's daughter Sarah Llyod Gomez took one look at the statue after it was unveiled immediately acknowledges that it resembles her father: the face, the beard and the posture. "I remember him a little taller but remember I'm his little girl, so I always used to look up to him," she said. She said she feels every honored that the BVI recognized her father, especially at a rough time in her family-her sister is battling leukemia and it has been less than a year since her father died. She also did not venture into the debate that apparently has been raging on the island that Lloyd should have been honored by the government a long time ago for his exploits. "The bottom line is that it is behind done now. Better now than never," she said.

MARIGOT-An 18-year-old individual is due to be transferred to Guadeloupe for trial today following his arrest for robbing a woman at gun point in Orient Bay.
The incident occurred during the night of March 5 and 6 when the woman was accosted by the suspect who stole two cellular phones and a digital camera.
The Gendarmerie disclosed a second 18-year-old accomplice involved in the February 21 armed robbery of a tourist couple in Grand case had also been arrested and sentenced to a 3-year prison, 18 months of which are suspended.

President of the Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation, Desmond Herbert is of the firm belief that a lifestyle of abstinence, faithfulness and condomising was the approach to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and urged residents of St Kitts and Nevis to preach it.

At an executive meeting held among some of his membership, Pastor Herbert passionately underscored the importance of the need for persons to know their status and for infected persons to have access to treatment and care.

"In this regard let me join in urging the world's scientists to keep the faith and redouble their efforts to find a medical cure and a vaccine for this disease which continues to claim thousands of lives around the world each day," Herbert said.

In reiterating his foundation's support and help to the fight against HIV/AIDS, he noted the importance of partnerships and the work being done by persons in the health sector along with other local partners. He also issued an invitation to other NGO organizations to partner with his foundation is that they can help in eradicating the disease.

"I am very confident that we can achieve success with fighting HIV AIDS but it cannot be fought single-handedly but must be fought as a collaborative effort between everyone," he declared.

Herbert commended the Ministry of health in St Kitts for what he ha-said has been a worthwhile fight and significant contributions that the Ministry has made. He noted that the aggressive efforts and contributions made by permanent Secretary Elvis Newton has helped in some amount of success. He said leadership at the local level had been critical in the fight and St Kitts had received international recognition in this area.

The meeting held by the foundation forms part of its efforts to assist in eradicating the disease within the federation while providing care and support to those affected or infected by the disease.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Dr Denzil Douglas had stated in the December 1st, 2008 World AIDS Day observance that it should be a time for reflection and introspection: introspection on promises made, individually and collectively, to provide strong leadership by implementing strategies to deal with prevention and treatment; to protect human rights by reducing stigma and discrimination; and to promote research among other promises, as indicated by the signatures to the 2001 UNGASS Declaration of Commitment.

Caricom Secretary General, Edwin Carrington said despite the optimism caused by recent statistics which suggested the global prevalence of the infection was stabilizing in addition to localized reductions, the statistics still painted a grim picture and pointed out that inadequate access to HIV prevention and treatment services resulted in new infections and deaths daily.

He added that progress in halting the HIV pandemic was still falling short of targets and emphasised that leaders must honour the 2006 UNGASS commitment of delivering universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, care treatment and support services by 2010.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, assisted by Veronica Jansen-Webster and Arturo Lugisse, met with Mervin J. Henderson, PH.D. - Associate Superintendent of Schools and Maggie B. Lewis-Butler - School Board Member, District 3 Leon County Florida.

The meeting was initiated by Commissioner of Tallahassee Bill Proctor with the objective to further develop the sister city agreement between St. Maarten and Tallahassee in the area of education while incorporating an economic component beneficial to St. Maarten.

As suggested by Commissioner Bill Proctor during this meeting the possibility was explored for Leon County high school students who take French classes to visit St. Maarten as part of their curriculum and as a result earn credits. The visit to St. Maarten/St. Martin would expose the students to the daily use of the French language, and culture while at the same time making a contribution to St. Maarten's economy, thus giving true meaning to diversification within the tourism sector.

This program also establishes the development of education as a diversified economic sector, which was identified in 2005 in the "St. Maarten Diversification Study" one of seven areas such as the Marine Trade sector and International Financial Sector.
The sister city relationship with Tallahassee will by means of this program also bring about cooperation between St. Maarten and St. Martin as the involvement of the French side will be necessary to make this a reality.

The sister city agreement St. Maarten-Tallahassee is based on reciprocity and so the opportunities for enrolling talented St. Maarten students, outside of the regular study financing program is also under consideration. We have recognized that St. Maarten has many young athletes and musicians who under normal circumstances, for reasons such as academic challenges, are not getting the opportunity to develop their talent and as a result never have the opportunity to fully develop their potential.

Commissioner Bill Proctor who is a strong advocate of this innovative idea of educational development and economic opportunities, is expected in St. Maarten in April during which time the agreement is expected to be formalized.

"I am pleased with the progress we have made last week. The agreement was relatively unknown to me, while indeed being aware of the educational benefits we as St.Maarten continue to derive from the sister city agreement on one hand the economical benefit to Tallahassee on the other hand.

The many other opportunities, as outlined in this agreement and thus at our disposal, will certainly continue to be explored, bearing in mind that during these economically challenging times, we must be ready to discover new options and think outside of the box": concludes Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus.

Philipsburg- Leader of Government Commissioner of Labour Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, has commended the Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) for the organization of information sessions for its members related to the new labour policy among other employee related matters.

Commissioner Wescot dropped in unannounced last week during one of the information sessions that was organized by WIFOL which included a presentation by the Head of the Labour Department Raphael Boasman.

The sessions are part of WIFOL's annual information sessions to educate workers about their rights.

"The initiative taken by the WIFOL is important for the worker and serves also to assure the workers of Government's concern for their wellbeing. An integral part of the foreign workers permit policy, is to give employers the opportunity to rectify and legalize the position of their present employees.

"The working class who are the drivers of the nation's economic engine must have a decent work environment. Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. It encompasses opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace, social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.

"Those who come from abroad to work here must also be properly taken care of and regulated accordingly in order to make a positive contribution within the confines of the rule of law and basic human rights. WIFOL is doing a great job with respect to the initiative taken on the new labour policy to inform the working class," Commissioner of Labour Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).

CAY BAY-During a routine inspection round on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the Cay Bay Power Plant in, a vigilant GEBE technician detected a water leak in one of the main power production units. He immediately notified his superiors and the decision was taken to stop the generator as a precautionary safety measure. This lead to limited load-shedding because some other units were undergoing planned maintenance at the time. Some of the areas affected were Lowlands, Beacon Hill, Dutch Quarter, and Simpson Bay.

Due to the severity of the problem, a tentative load shedding schedule for the rest of the day was disseminated to the media to prepare residents for short outages. However, because the technician had detected the problem before it escalated, the mechanical team was able to solve the problem much faster than had originally been anticipated. While some areas experienced short power interruptions other areas such as Pelican and Lowlands were without power for almost 2 hours. Electricity supply to all affected areas was restored by 12:30 p.m.

GEBE apologizes to its customers who experienced power interruptions.
Suspension of Turks and Caicos Constitution is not new in the region.

Philipsburg - Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus attended a preventative session at the Sundial School for Violence Prevention Week.

Also present at the event was radio personality Elektra of Laser 101 who spoke to the students on the topics of leading by example, about self-respect, and about the need to love oneself.

The speakers spoke mainly about self esteem and the need to not only prevent violence but take responsibility for doing the right thing.

Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus congratulated all those students for taking part and the teachers and management of the school for putting on such an extensive program in an effort to reduce violence in the community.

Commissioner called on the students to act responsibly and in turn success will follow, "If you want to be successful, you have to plan and do well in school, including studying hard."

Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus asked: "Why do we have violence?" The students gave such reasons as, namely: hatred, gangs, drugs, and jealously to name a few. Commissioner Buncamper - Molanus added some of her own reasons: TV, weapons, poverty, and peer pressure.

"But we must be tolerant," Commissioner said, "we must accept everyone for who they are, whether they are big, small, tall, fat, skinny, among other characteristics. It is about choices we have. We have to choose wisely. Stand up, be brave."

We all know what the problem is, so we all have to do our part, and not one person or one group, not just Government, and not just parents, to solve the issue, but everyone, all groups," Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus said.

Although Government is doing much, i.e. Girl Power, Dare Program, Baby Thin it Over, Active Parenting, Family & Friends Network, and a host of other programs. We all have to be positive. Do whatever we can and make St. Maarten a better place.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, would like to wish the Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba and especially the staff of the local Met Office on the island, a Happy World Meteorological Day.

Each year, on March 23, the World Meteorological Organizations (WMO), its 188 members and the worldwide meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day around a chosen theme.

The date commemorates the entry into force, in 1950, of the WMO Convention creating the organization, and subsequently, in 1951, WMO was designated a specialized agency of the United Nations system.

The theme for 2009 is, "Weather, climate and the air we breathe."

"I would like to commend the work that is carried out every day by the staff of the St. Maarten branch of the Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba. They perform very important tasks in providing weather information to the control tower at the airport for safe airport operations besides information to mariners.

"Secondly, the service also performs an important task during the hurricane season. Our island nation is on track to set up its own national service with the assistance of the Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba and others.

"We look forward to the day when our current branch office becomes our own national service continuing to serve the aviation and shipping sectors as well as the St. Maarten community," Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Philipsburg- "How to Thrive in Trying Times," Dr. Nicole Erna Mae Francis' most recently published book, is now available online at: http://www.authorhouse.com/bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=54539. The book which has been "live" for only about five days, already has been receiving great reviews. Eion wrote to Francis: "I feel 'blessed' just logging on to your book site." Sara, another visitor to AuthorHouse's web site, Francis' publisher, expressed the following: "Nicole I have read the preview of your book and I must say that I was very impressed by your words of wisdom. You are truly a gem in St. Martin's sea of jewels. As your book depicts in a capsule form, God is the only person that can take us through these trying times. Congratulations! I will continue to draw inspiration from your work. Thank you."
"How to Thrive in Trying Times" also will be available for sale through thousands of retailers worldwide within the next 30-45 days as well as available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Victorious Living Foundation's site: www.victoriouslivingsxm.org. The book will be officially launched on May 09 at the Belair Community Center at 7:45 p.m. and the entire community is invited to what promises to be an inspirational evening. Among the featured performances at the event will be dances by St. Martin's Queen of dance, Clara Reyes, Minister of Dance Miranda Patterson, local poets and spoken word geniuses, Lenworth Wilson and Anderson Percival, both past presidents of Youth to Xtreme (Y2X), the youth wing of Victorious Living Foundation.
Not only will Francis be launching her book, but also a cd of her "Poetic Vibes to Help You Thrive." This cd provides a boost of inspiration to the weary, depressed and/or discouraged person desirous of hope in these trying times. According to Francis, "Woman" her most recent poem performed for International Women's Day celebrations on St. Maarten which has received rave reviews, will be included as a bonus on this cd.
A significant percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Y2X and Victorious Living's mentorship program, Family and Friends Network, for their empowerment of youth and their families in the community. This financial contribution to Y2X is pivotal at this juncture, as Y2X is preparing for its annual youth empowerment conference and concert, Xtreme Youth Fest, slated for July 9-12, 2009.
Xtreme Youth Fest has impacted the lives of thousands of youth between the ages of 13-35 over the past four years since its inception. Participants locally and regionally over the years have expressed the great impact that Xtreme Youth Fest has had upon their lives. Testimonials include:
• "My experience at Xtreme Youth Fest 2007 will be one I will probably never forget. Words can not express the life-changing spiritual rejuvenation I encountered while participating."-(Vera Igbinigie, medical student)
• "Every part of this event was worth it all. To all the Y2X members, you put your all into this event, to make it possible, I salute you. God will surely bless you. Your labor is not in vain he will reward you for all your hard work. I will like to say thank you for making our stay a comfortable one and for making youth fest this year a memory that will live on in my heart for a lifetime." - (Juliet Daniel, Saba.)
Francis therefore encourages everyone to purchase a book and a cd for themselves and others who may be struggling at this time, as the investment in the book and cd provides a priceless value of personal inspiration to the buyer while empowering our youth and snatching them from the evils which seek to ensnare them. For more details or to contribute to Victorious Living's mentorship program and/or Y2X, persons may call 524-8731/542-2663/520-3680/554-9807/586-6109/1305-296-6805, visit Victorious Living at 158 B. Back Street, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, or www.victoriouslivingsxm.org .

Philipsburg:-- The Beyond Writing Foundation (Ms. Loekie Morales), Nature Foundation and Environmental Protection In the Caribbean recently sent out invitations to all of St. Maarten's primary schools to sign up for the Foundations' joint environmental education program titled "Sea life and Wetlands Excursions", offered by the Foundations between the end of March and June, 2009.
Many of the island's schools have shown interest in these excursions, as a total of 10 primary schools signed up between February and early March of this year. The first of 17 excursions planned took place on Tuesday March 24th, 2009. The morning's events commenced at 8.00 am with a Power Point Presentation on St Maarten's Wetlands, at the Methodist Agogic Centre (MAC) Browlia F. Maillard Campus at St John's Estate. After the presentation, which covered the ecological, environmental significance of wetlands as well as the threats these areas face, the organizers, class teachers and children boarded a school bus to the Little Bay Pond. Where they could see, hear and experience the value of nature as explained in the classroom. (see attached picture)
The children had a lot of fun during this excursion, and had the opportunity to learn a lot about the different types of mangroves, other plants and the different animals living in and around the Little Bay Pond. Pupils visited the Nature Foundation's and EPIC's bird watching hut and its surroundings were they saw and heard different sorts of birds, dragonflies, butterflies, spiders, crabs and also learnt about the consequences of man made threats to Pond life through: excavation, the influx of sewage and contamination by illegal dumping of waste in and near the ponds.
The aforementioned Foundations intend to provide St. Maarten's school children with a better understanding and appreciation of the island's Flora, Fauna, Wetlands (Ponds, lagoons) and the Marine environment through these presentations and excursions which compliment the individual Foundation's already existing educational programs. The scheduled presentations and excursions were partially financed through a grant Beyond Writing Foundation (Loekie Morales) received from AMFO.

POINTE BLANCHE:-- The St. Maarten delegation headed by Commissioner of Port Affairs Theo Heyliger, who just recently returned to the island after attending the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami Conference, have been informed that the Port of St. Maarten is the first harbour that will be ready for the Genesis class cruise ships.
The new cruise jetty measuring in at 445 meters in length and 21 meters in width will be ready in May followed by additional cruise amenities in September. Funding for the cruise harbour expansion has been provided by Carnival Cruise Lines (US$35 million) and Royal Caribbean Lines (RCL) (US$10 million).
The Oasis of the Seas is expected in port around mid-December. The vessel home porting in Fort Lauderdale makes its maiden voyage on December 12, 2009.
At the cruise shipping conference, St. Maarten was singled out several times for its foresight and pro-active preparations as a cruise destination, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies stated on Thursday.
Royal Caribbean International announced in February 2006 its Genesis project which entailed the construction of the largest cruise passenger ship in the world weighing in at 220,000 gross tons and costing approximately US$1.2 billion. The RCI Chairman and CEO Richard Fain called it, ‘exhilarating to take such a giant step into the future.'
The new vessel, Oasis of the Seas, will have a passenger capacity of 6400 and 2000 crew for a total complement of almost 9000 souls. The vessel will be 360 meters long and 47 meters wide and 65 meters above the waterline.
Oasis of the Seas will be 43 per cent larger than other vessels in the RCI fleet. RCI is constructing two of the mega-size vessels with Allure of the Seas being the second vessel to debut in 2010.
According to cruise industry officials, the largest cruise ships have proved to be the largest cash generators for the operators, offering economy of scale benefits.
"St. Maarten was singled out once again by the cruise industry for being a premier cruise destination in the Caribbean. We are very proud of this accomplishment which has been achieved with the vision and foresight of Commissioner of Port Affairs Theo Heyliger, the Supervisory Board and all those who work in the tourism industry on the island.
"We must continue to work hard as a cruise destination to maintain our position. We cannot afford to sit back at this point in time in order to maintain our lead," stated CEO Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies on Thursday.

Stabroek News.

Former President Janet Jagan died early yesterday morning, giving the nation pause to reflect on a lifetime dedicated towards the struggles for independence and democracy.

Mrs Jagan, who was a co-founder of the governing PPP and the country's first female head of state, passed away at 12.36 am yesterday in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital. She had been admitted to the hospital for observation on Friday afternoon after complaining of feeling unwell. She was 88 and had been ill for some time.
Funeral arrangements are to await the arrival of her daughter, Nadira Jagan-Brancier, although it is expected that she will be accorded a state funeral, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday. President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is currently in the Middle East on a series of visits, took the decision to cut short his tour to immediately return to the country upon receiving the news of Mrs Jagan's death. Amid a flood of tributes, the Guyana Government said the nation lost one of its greatest citizens, noting that she had exhibited strength, courage, humility and commitment to its development.
Although she was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the US, she was a tireless campaigner for Guyana's independence alongside her husband, the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan. In opposition during the years of PNC rule, she was also at the forefront of the struggle for free and fair elections. In 1997, she succeeded the late President Dr Jagan in the office of the president - though not without a great degree of controversy.
In addition to her political activism, Mrs Jagan was a pioneering women's rights advocate, a journalist and later an author of children's stories and patron of the arts. She was instrumental in the establishment of the National Art Gallery in Castellani House, and sat on its board. Widely read herself, she lent her presence in support of any number of local book launches.
She was conferred with the Order of Excellence (OE) as well as the Gandhi Gold Medal for peace, democracy and women's rights. Mrs Jagan was also part of the quartet that founded the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which was the precursor to the PPP. She remained an active party member, serving on its central and executive committees up to the time of her death. She was also editor of the party's official organ, Thunder and continued to pen columns for the Weekend Mirror newspaper. Her decades long activism rooted her firmly in the national consciousness, where she was widely known as "Janet" to a wide range of supporters and detractors alike.

According to Dr Cheddi "Joey" Jagan , Jnr, Mrs Jagan lived a full life, pursuing a commitment to democracy that was based on her genuine concern for the people. He said she was instrumental in bringing free and fair elections, to which she remained committed. "My mother gave more to Guyana than a lot of people who call themselves patriots here," he stated. "Although she was a politician - and politicians have their own endgame - I can tell the world my mother was not corrupt," he added, saying that she was opposed to all the bad things in politics.
He said her grandchildren were particularly devastated by her passing but he took consolation in the fact that she lived a full life. "It's devastating that she died, but she was eighty-eight, she lived a full life and she did everything a person could try and do and she left her mark," he said.
Jagan Jnr noted that she could have simply stayed in the US and been very successful, recalling her background in journalism and aviation in addition to her training as a nurse. Instead, he said, she worked tirelessly here during the dark days, remaining totally committed to a parliamentary democracy. "Overall, my mother was a good mother and good to the Jagan family," he said, adding that without her, the Jagan family would not have made it to where it is today.
He described her as a remarkable woman, saying she had a deep intellect, a caring personality and a loving heart. Although she was always busy, he noted, she always found time for his welfare and that of his sister, who are both proud of their parents' work.
Although she left Chicago more than 60 years ago, Jagan Jnr said his mother still managed to distinguish herself as a Chicagoan. He said the night before she died, she told him someone called her from Chicago to inform her that she was on a list of famous Chicagoans. "So that tells a lot about her own mark," he explained. "As a person who grew up in Chicago... for them to name her as one of the leading Chicagoans is quite remarkable."

He also related another story about his daughter, who is currently attending law school in California. She informed him that one of her professors, a native of Chicago, later revealed that he had read everything by Janet Jagan, but knew nothing of Cheddi Jagan. "My daughter was so shocked, he didn't know about Cheddi Jagan," he said.
At the Freedom House headquarters of the PPP, the national flag and the party flag adorning the front of the building were both flown at half mast, while black flags were also being flown to signify the death. A sombre atmosphere pervaded the building, where party members gathered to reflect on the loss. A book of condolence was also opened at the party headquarters.
PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar told Stabroek News that there were mixed feelings among her comrades. "There is a deep sadness among those who knew her for most of her political life and who also benefited from her kindness and generosity over the years," he said, "but on the other hand we know she had a full life and her life is one that should be celebrated..."
Ramotar highlighted the fact that she migrated from one of the richest countries to one of the poorest and made it her home, becoming Guyanese in every sense of the word. "She fought for social liberation," he said, "Her whole life was associated with the downtrodden and she was always on the side of the working people, the oppressed people, the disadvantaged it; she was a champion for them." He said she had a strong commitment and feeling of responsibility to the people, believing that a better world was possible.
He described her as a different politician, shying away from publicity to work quietly behind the scenes. At the same time, he added that she did not shy away from her duties and responsibilities, which she carried out with discipline. He emphasized that she was very hard working, even in recent years, noting that four years ago she agreed to edit the Thunder once again and managed to meet the quarterly deadline every single year. He added that even after she broke her arm in late February, she continued to write.
Ramotar spoke with her at her home before she was admitted to hospital. He had heard that she was in pain and the doctors suspected that she had kidney stones. According to him, they also spoke of the international financial crisis as well as about a meeting of the central committee planned for yesterday. She had asked him to make an excuse for her absence.
Ralph Ramkarran, a member of the PPP's Executive Committee, described her as "a great patriot" and "a dedicated Guyanese," who devoted her entire life to the wellbeing of the country and the people. He also described her as an "extraordinarily kind" and "generous woman," saying that there are very few people who knew her genuinely who would not have noted these qualities.

According to Ramkarran, his father had joined the PAC shortly after its formation and later became a founding member of the PPP. As a result of the closeness between the two families, Ramkarran said, Mrs Jagan was always a part of his life. "I grew up as part of the PPP and I couldn't tell you when I met her because she was always there," he said. He added that when he returned to Guyana in 1973 and began his political activism he worked very closely with her and members of her group.
Ramkarran said Mrs Jagan's life was centred around politics, noting that her relationships, including her husband, her family and her friends were all connected to political activism. At the same time, he said she long had to contend with demonization by the opposition and other forces, which as early as the 1950s sought to portray her as the real architect of Cheddi Jagan's success - a claim she would dismiss as racist.
Mrs Jagan served as head of state from December 19, 1997 to August 11, 1999.
Following the death of her husband, President Cheddi Jagan, in March of 1997, Mrs Jagan decided to contest for the office. She had said that before he died he told her that he wanted her to continue his work and she agreed to follow his wishes. She was subsequently sworn in as Prime Minister of Guyana and first Vice-President on March 17, 1997.
For the 1997 elections, she was chosen as the PPP/C's presidential candidate, leading to the creation of the so-called ‘A' team, which would later pave the way for President Bharrat Jagdeo to accede to the presidency. It was announced then that if anything were to happen to her, she would be replaced by the representative of the party, Jagdeo, while Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, representing the Civic portion of the ticket, would remain in the Prime Ministerial position.
Mrs Jagan triumphed in a highly controversial election and was sworn in at a private ceremony attended by only a few persons amid reports that there was going to be a legal attempt to stop her swearing in. At a public ceremony held later at State House, High Court marshals attempted to serve an order to stop the swearing in. She controversially tossed the document over her shoulder after it had been served on her. She later explained that she meant no disrespect to the courts but had been moved to act by what she felt had been decades of injustice meted out to her, her late husband, the PPP and its supporters. It was the type of action her supporters said typified the fighter in her.
However, Mrs Jagan's presidency was marred by political unrest over the election results and the manner in which she was sworn in. In the face of protests, led by the main opposition PNC, she subsequently agreed, among other things, to cut her term in office by two years under terms of the January 17, 1998 Herdmanston Accord, which was brokered by Caricom statesmen. The situation of unrest continued in various forms, with the PNC boycotting the Parliament, leading to the St Lucia Statement of July 2, 1998 in Castries, St Lucia where she shook hands with PNC Leader Desmond Hoyte on other commitments.
Mrs Jagan's presidency was in large part defined by the paralyzing public service strike in 1999 which spawned a crisis and sapped her energy. In announcing her resignation on August 8, 1999 Mrs Jagan said: "I considered at length and consulted close colleagues on the question of my continuing in office as President. It is now my firm and studied conclusion that I can no longer offer to the nation the vigorous and strong leadership that I had sought to provide during my 20 months as the lawfully and duly elected President of the Republic of Guyana. I therefore wish to announce that I intend to resign my position as President and to fulfil the promise I made during the 1997 election campaign."
Prior to her resignation she had fallen ill and had had to be hospitalised here.
Some analysts have contended that Mrs Jagan did not make the wisest decision in contesting for the presidency as she was not seen as a candidate of conciliation who could bridge divisions with the opposition and be a candidate of compromise. Others, however, felt that the reason she agreed to be candidate was to avoid a divisive bare-knuckles fight within the PPP to succeed President Jagan, as there was no clear choice.
After her resignation, Mrs Jagan continued to be in the public eye playing an integral part in the preservation of her husband's memory and legacy and being a patron of the arts. She attended a lecture in memory of her husband last week.
In its statement, the government said Mrs Jagan's selfless and dedicated service to the country was rendered during her long, varied and honourable career in public life over six decades. It noted that she struggled alongside her life-long partner and husband, the late President Dr Jagan, against colonialism and fought for peace, democracy and justice both here and abroad. "Through her determination she worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of all Guyanese, especially poor women and children," it added, while describing her as a modest and simple woman, who carried herself with great dignity and integrity. The main opposition PNCR paid tribute to Mrs Jagan for playing an important role in shaping the early political culture of the nation, helping to push the issue of women rights and liberation to the top of the national agenda and being a fighter for independence. The PNCR said she made an important contribution to national development, recalling that as a Minister, she made her mark in the field of Health, Housing and Home Affairs, and as a legislator, as a Senator and member of the Legislative Assembly.
Two years ago, Mrs Jagan was asked about reconciliation between the two parties and she told Rickey Singh: "I don't think that either side has that as a priority right now, but I would prefer to leave it at that..."
Mrs Jagan, who was born in Chicago, Illnois in the US, married Dr Cheddi Jagan on August 5, 1943. She was fervently committed to the marxist/communist ideology and was believed to have played an influential role in his early political development.
She came to British Guiana with him in December 1943 and worked for 10 years as a dental nurse in Dr Jagan's clinic. She became immediately involved in the labour struggle and as a member of the first ever union in the colony, the British Guiana Labour Union. She was also the co-founder of the Political Affairs Committee. Mrs Jagan was elected General Secretary of the PPP in 1950 and served in that post until 1970. She was a founder of the Women's Progressive Organisation and became the first elected woman to the Georgetown city council. She was later one of three women to enter the House of Assembly as a representative of the Essequibo constituency.
Following the suspension of the constitution and the ousting of the government, Mrs Jagan was jailed for six months in 1955 and restricted to Georgetown after her release. When the PPP was returned to power in the 1957 elections she was appointed Minister of Labour, Health and Housing - one of her famous posts. In 1963 she became Minister of Home Affairs but resigned a year later over incidents of violence in Wismar. She became a member of the Elections Commission in 1967 and played an active role in the opposition years during which she played a significant role in Parliament. After the party's triumph at the 1992 election, Mrs Jagan served for three months as the country's ambassador to the United Nations. She leaves to mourn her son, Dr Cheddi Jagan Jnr, daughter Nadira Jagan-Brancier, five grandchildren and many other relatives.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Finance Roy Marlin welcomed the assurance given by a representative of the General Pension Fund of the Netherlands Antilles APNA during a presentation to the Central Committee of the Antillean Parliament, that APNA has enough funds to fully meet all its obligations in conformity with the pension ordinance for the next five years.

Due to the global financial crisis of 2008, APNA lost 36 per cent in value of the foreign investments it had which amounted to US$300 million (Naf.540 million) in the last months of 2008 which it had built up in the period 2003-2007.

"This is very serious business as in many and if not most cases, a pension is the only source of income for our senior citizens. The global financial crisis has impacted basically everyone directly and indirectly. When the pension fund of the Antilles looses more than a half billion guilders in investment value, it's an eye opening scary experience.

"APNA needs to hold information sessions on each Antillean island where pensioners reside. These people need to be fully assured that their pensions are safe. They may have many questions that they would like answered. They need to fully understand how the Antillean pension system functions in order for them to continue to have confidence in the system. They need transparency in order to allay their fears and worries of whether they will be getting a pension next month or next year.

"Our pensioners listen to the news on a daily basis and they know what is happening out there. In order to lower the anxiety APNA needs to come directly to them and inform them of what happened and what is the current status of their pensions.

"While it's all good to inform the politicians, the clients also need to be informed," Commissioner of Finance Roy Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Basseterre: ---Disruptive and sometimes violent general strike in the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique could be reaching a conclusion as union leaders and government officials negotiate over cost-of-living expenses and other issues. That would be welcome news to tourist officials in both islands, since the strike has had a serious impact on tourism, including cancellation of Martinique's annual carnival celebration, which was scheduled for Feb. 22-25.
Martinique has been hit less severely than Guadeloupe, but last week some shops in Fort-de-France were looted and cars burned. Island officials point out, however, that police responded quickly to the incident and that it took place far from the island's resorts.
The Guadeloupe strike has lasted six weeks and sparked some violent clashes between protestors and police, with one union leader shot dead. However, a pair of agreements between employers and unions signed last week has some hoping that the labor action is winding down.

Philipsburg- On Tuesday the Executive Council met with 2 groups of students from the Milton Peters College, the VSBO-TKL section, to provide them with information about the intricacies of Government.

Students, were given an explanation on the organization of government, the role of the Departments of Government Information Service and General & Internal Affairs, among other departments.

The tour consisted of some welcoming words by Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams, who briefed the students on the Legislative Branch of Government and the apparatus in general.

Commissioner Wescot-Williams welcomed the students, "It is good to have you all here. You are in the most important room-the legislative hall. Here is where the Island Council debates,and once agreed upon by members, passes laws."

Further explaining on the particulars of the government apparatus, Commissioner said that Government is a large institution, so there is more than what you see. There are many departments of government like the fire department, the finance department, the health department, among others. All work in tandem to make the operations of government work efficient and effectively, and to provide service to the community.

"I urge you to ask questions during your tour, learn as much as you can," Commissioner Wescot-Williams said. "What is on your mind? Go ahead and ask... For now, on behalf of government, I welcome you to the Government Administration building and please enjoy your tour."

After Commissioner Wescot's address, Island Secretary Joane Dovale-Meit explained about the institution of the Island Secretary's office, which supports the Island Council, the Executive Council, the Lt. Governor F. Richards, and manages the entire government apparatus, which is divided in sectors, and departments.

The next presenter was Acting Head of the Government Information Service (GIS) Rodney Richardson who showed a short video presentation of what GIS entailed, and what communication tools they used to get the information of government to the community of St. Maarten and beyond, from GIS special programs to press releases to radio programs, and the soon to be established comprehensive government website.

Next was the Department of General & Internal Affairs, Acting Head, Ingrid Gumbs, she explained to the students the functions of the department, namely: 1. Archiving, the storing of documents, 2. Document Management, managing documents from their initial reception at the front desk to their proper storage, and lastly, 3. Facility services, managing government's buildings.

"Our aim is to provide you," Gumbs said, "the citizen, with excellent service and to store documents, whether originating internally or externally, in an effective and efficient manner, so that in case there is a need for a specific document for a decision or a court case, that the document can be readily found."

After the short presentations in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall, the students were given a tour of the Government Administration Building to get a hands-on experience on what the Government Departments do in the vicinity.

On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, three other groups from the same school and section will have the same tour. In total, there will be 5 groups who are schedule to visit the Government Administration Building.

 

Philipsburg:--- Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday will know his fate today as his appeal will be heard at the Court of Appeals today Thursday. Holiday the former top cop was convicted in October 2008 on forgery and fraud. Holiday had received a four month suspended sentence, three years probation and he was fined Naf. 10,000.
Even though maintaining his innocence the former top cop was charged for forging some 43 immigration re-entry permits. He also was condemned for defrauding the Netherlands Antilles of Naf, 88,000 in rental subsidy.

Philipsburg- At the funeral service for John P.F. "Boechie" Craane, the Commissioner in charge of Harbor Affairs, Theo Heyliger, paid tribute to the former Harbor Master.

The following is the tribute:

"The man, John Philip Frederick Craane born on the island of Bonaire on November 24, 1913 and affectionately known throughout the Netherlands Antilles as Boechie Craane, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning February 28, 2009.

Boechie spent close to half a century of his life on St. Maarten, where he worked firstly for the Federal Government from 1964 to 1963. During those years, he worked as Captain of the Federal Government owned vessel like the MV Antillia.

He later became Captain of the Blue Peter and the MV Hertha. These ships carried both mail and passengers among the Antillean islands.

He served as Harbor Master from 1978 to 1985-his retirement age, but later continued to work on a contractual basis.

Before Boechie started working in government employ, he was known to spend his time helping his father, who was a renowned shipwright. He was a captain himself and he also built vessels.

Boechie fell in love not only with St. Maarten but also with the love of his life-his wife Armelle Lake. Later he would start a family.

In recognition of his work and many years of service to the government and marine industry, the cruise terminal building at the A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities was named in his honor.

On behalf of myself and my family, the government and people of St. Maarten, the Board, Management and staff of the St. Maarten Harbor Group of Companies, I would like to express words of thanks and appreciation for his contribution towards the well being of St. Maarten.

To the immediate family and friends of Boechie, I would like to say that you have lost a father and a friend, a true son of the soil. I would like to wish you much strength in this time of bereavement. Rest assured the name Boechie Craane will always remain a fixture in the history of St. Maarten.

May his soul rest in peace.

MARIGOT-A second of safety and security advisory has been released from the gendarmerie yesterday. The information was taken from the Minister of Interior Affairs website. The advisory released yesterday deals with the use of two wheels vehicles.
The advisory has several hints on personal safety and security and reminds road users of the rules and regulations for scooters and motorbikes and the penalties when the laws are broken.
Persons desiring to have more information can log on to www.interieur.gouv.fr and click on sub heading "votre securite."

The Gendarmerie in their press release said too many fatal accidents that have occurred on scooters and motorbikes were also the result of riders not taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves in the event of an accident. Two persons who died in early 2009 on January 25 and February 6 were motorbike riders.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, left the island over the weekend leading a delegation to the City of Tallahassee, Florida on a fact-finding mission.

 Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus will explore the possibilities of intensifying the relationship between the City of Tallahassee and the Island Territory (IT) in the areas of Economic Affairs, Sports and Health Care. The working visit is in connection with the Sister City Agreement that has existed between Tallahassee and the IT since 1999.

 "In the course of the 10-years that the sister agreement has existed, the IT has primarily made use of the education possibilities in that agreement. I intend to explore the possibilities afforded to us in the agreement as it relates to economic affairs, health care and sports," Commissioner of Economic, Sports & Public Health Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

 On Monday the Commissioner and her delegations itinerary entails a meeting with the Economic Development Council; Florida House Representative Senator Alan Williams (Black Caucus); Florida House of Representatives at the Capitol Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (economic development & policy committee); a tour of the Traffic Engineering/Security Room; a meeting with Mayor John Marks; a meeting with Eric Graham of Governor Charley Crist Office, Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Affairs/International Business Development; Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Meteorology Office.

 On Tuesday the delegation will meet with Leon County Commissioners; Economic Development Council; Energy Department; and Tallahassee Medical Hospital.

 On Wednesday the itinerary entails meetings with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Economic Program; Florida State University (FSU) Meteorological Center; and FSU Sports Department.

 On Thursday, a number of meetings are planned with various officials from the Tallahassee Sports Council; County Commissioner Bill Proctor; City Manager Anita Favors; Chief Financial Officer State of Florida; and Disaster Preparedness Department.

 On Friday Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus will also meet with St. Maarten students studying in Tallahassee and on Saturday she will be given a tour of the Local Farmers & Artist Market.

 Accompanying Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus is Sector Director of Economy & Tourism Miguel De Weever and Executive Assistant Veronica Jansen.

 The visit is being coordinated by St. Maarten's Liaison Officer in the City of Tallahassee Arthur Lugisse. The St. Maarten delegation is expected back on the island March 14.

 

Philipsburg/ Misson Viejo: -- The mother of missing American Leta Lynn Cordes has passed away on Friday last week after a prolonged illness said friend of the missing woman Elaine Karas. The elderly woman passed away last Friday. Karas said the family has been struck with yet another tragedy while the mother of Leta did not get the closer she needed on her daughter before she died.
In an email to SMN News Karas said "there is another sad chapter to the tragedy of Leta Cordes disappearance. Modena Mc Lendon, Leta Cordes mother passed away this past Friday March 6th, 2009 due to complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Leta was one of her mother's primary caretakers when she disappeared.
Only five months after Leta Cordes disappearance Mrs. Mc Lendon was placed in a State run hospital for lack of proper care. Sadly Leta Cordes mother died alone in a California State Hospital.

The only peace this news gives us is that Modena Mclendon is now in heaven with three of her children that left this world much too early. Rory has not only lost his mother and two uncles, but now his beloved Grandmother."

Leta Lynn Cordes went missing on January 11, 2008 after she allegedly left her Dawn Beach home to go over to the Westin Casino to gamble. Ever since that night the woman who hails from Mission Viejo has never been seen. Her husband Frank Cordes spent close to four months behind bars as he is considered a suspect in her disappearance. The prosecutor had to release Cordes for a lack of evidence however; he remains a suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife.

Some weeks ago the friends of Leta teamed up with the RST and other security companies and conducted a massive search of the Le Galleon Beach in the hope of finding the woman remains. The searchers who had at least three cadaver dogs with them turned up empty handed.
However, the friends remain hopeful that the local authorities would be able to bring the culprit or culprit's t justice someday.

After introducing the Active Parenting Program to all FBE Schools, we will take a step further and re-activate Active Parenting in all VSBO schools on Sint Maarten.

By means of a 2 day LEADER training, scheduled for March 10 & 11, 2009, the participants in the LEADER training will learn how to use the combination video, discussion, and group activities to conduct Parent evenings in their own schools.

Active Parenting of Teens, has been revised for 2009: a new video, all new books, a new look, but with the same effective Active Parenting skills. It is a video-based discussion program teaching parents the skills they need to address such critical issues as drugs and alcohol use, teen sexuality and violence.

This training will cater to a total of 20 participants for now, among which are teachers, social workers, student guidance counselors and parents.

Active Parenting is not just helping parents; it is helping children, teachers and other members of the community by strengthening families. It‘s to help parents learn how to deal with their teens in a positive way.

The initiative is funded by USONA as part of the implementation of the Project Plan VSBO, Sint Maarten.

A new species of katydid is described from the Lesser Antillean island of St Maarten, Dutch West Indies. Phoebolampta caeruleotergum Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae. The Phaneropterinae as currently defined comprises some 14 tribes, but there are still over 100 genera of uncertain tribal position. The last major treatment of the subfamily.

Philipsburg- "It's incredible that we belong to the same kingdom: there's nothing Dutch here," observed Bibi Schobbers in astonishment. Ms. Schobbers who writes for the religious magazine, Zeilen, left the island Thursday afternoon after spending a week here attending the just-concluded Heineken Regatta, and exploring other stories about the island for her Dutch readers.
"I will try to convey the friendliness of the people of this island, their inspiring spirituality and the beauty of this paradise to my readers," she said, still bewildered at the fact that the Dutch language ranks about fifth among the plethora of languages spoken on the island.
Accompanied by photographer Guido Peter Briem, who was full of praise for the orderliness he observed among the thousands of people who attended the Heineken Regatta concerts, Ms. Schobbers said she thoroughly enjoyed her stay here and would not hesitate to relocate to live on the island if it were possible.
The group of six journalists - three from Holland and three Brazilians - was visiting the island for the first time and could not hide their excitement about the peculiarity of St. Maarten.
Appearing on Culture Time on PJD-2 radio on Sunday, the Dutch journalists asked as many questions as they answered. They were also guests on "What would I be?" hosted by Valerie van Putten right after Culture Time on the same day.
Following the conclusion of the Heineken Regatta, the Dutch journalists participated in activities such as dive adventures, site inspections and pursued their own story interests.
"This has been an unforgettable experience for me," said Guido, with his camera always at the ready for that unusual shot.
The others concurred.
"We expect that all of this will translate into some really positive coverage for St. Maarten in Holland," commented Regina LaBega, Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau who hosted the journalists as part of government strategy to create a favorable image for the island especially in the new emerging markets where it hopes to increase visitor arrivals.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, headed to Tallahassee to investigate the possibilities under the existing sister city agreement to seek assistance with the establishment of a reliable meteorology services on St. Maarten.

Under the November agreement signed last year by the political leaders of the Netherlands, Curacao and St. Maarten the responsibility for meteorological services will be transferred to St. Maarten on July 1st.

The preparation with respect to assuming the responsibility was started about a year ago, however the facilitating role of the Central Government has remained absent. This has made the exercise more difficult as the approach of Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus in this was to explore several options before making any recommendations to the Executive Council.

The obvious option available is the purchase of these services from the future Curacao Met office which over the years has been upgraded to a presumably up to par facility while the office in St. Maarten was neglected in both physical terms as well as in human resources.
Fortunately St. Maarten's very own Joel Pierre is a student at FSU (Florida State University) and is expected to receive his bachelor degree in December of this year making him a meteorologist with the ability among to observe and forecast weather developments.

In a meeting at the University, Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus was able to secure the commitment from the FSU that willingness to assess the St. Maarten Meteo facility at the airport and make recommendations to bring it up to at least a minimal standard before the transfer of July 1st.

With the existing relationship between Professor Fuelberg, the cooperation of the National Weather Center will be sought as part of this exercise which is expected to provide St. Maarten with at least options before the deadline.

Understanding the importance for St. Maarten the university also committed to providing Joel with the opportunity for internship preparing him better for the task ahead.

Besides this internship for Joel, FSU also promised to cooperate with St. Maarten in setting up Tailor made training programs for the current staff of the St. Maarten Meteo department.

Police Commissioner and Assistant Chief Ademar Doran along with the Police Coach Ronald Dongor accompanied their counterparts from Holland who paid a courtesy visit to the island Chief of Police and Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards.

The Directorate of Programs and Projects, Loekie Morales (of DPP) brought together members of the Monument Preservation Foundation and Herman George of the social and economic development organization-Reda Social-to discuss funding of the Revolving Fund for Monuments. George provided information on the intricacies of the venture and pledged his support in the matter. There are further meetings scheduled this week on the matter.

 

Philipsburg- There have been several meetings among the Directorate of Program and Projects, St. Maarten Preservation Fund, Herman George-Director of Reda Social, and Commissioner Roy Marlin at different times during this week to resolve the matter of establishing a Monument Fund for St. Maarten.

Commissioner Marlin was enthused about the idea of having a fund for St. Maarten. People could apply directly on St. Maarten, and not have to go through a longer and distant process. There will be $1.6 million in the fund; persons or families could apply for low interest rate loans to refurbish or repair their historically significant building or monuments.

The sprucing up of Historical important buildings, Commissioner Marlin said, is also a tourism attraction. So it is a win-win situation for all.

Herman George pledged his support in establishing the monument funds. Included would be the cost of having persons temporarily stationed in St. Maarten to assist in the matter. In addition, time is of the essence George said, for the funds are there only for a limited time.

Philipsburg- Leader of Government Commissioner of Social & Labour Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, says that instructions have been given to the Social Affairs Department to see what assistance could be rendered to those who have been affected by the Over the Bank fire on Friday.

Inquiries will also be made with the St. Maarten Red Cross to see what assistance is being provided by the humanitarian organization.

Last Friday a fire broke out in what has been described as a two-storey apartment building leaving an unconfirmed number of person's homeless. According to media reports, approximately 25 persons, including four children are homeless.

"I am pleased that no one was injured in the fire and that everyone appears to be accounted for. I have given instructions to Head of the Department of Social Affairs to make inquiries with respect to the status of these persons that were impacted by the fire and to see what assistance could be rendered by the Government," Commissioner of Social & Labour Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Philipsburg- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies (SHGC), would hereby like to extend his condolences on behalf of the Supervisory Board and Management Team of SHGC to the nephew of the late Cyrus Sidney Wathey, Commissioner of Harbour Affairs Theo Heyliger and the Wathey family.
Sidney Wathey as he was affectionately known passed away last week Friday.
"Sidney Wathey played a significant role in the development of the island back in the 1980s while working as an Executive Assistant to the Executive Council.
"The supervisory board and management deeply regret the passing of Sidney Wathey and our thoughts and prayers go out to Commissioner Heyliger, Sidney Wathey's wife and two sons, the rest of the Wathey family and close friends," SHGC CEO Mark Mingo said on Monday.

US and overseas airlines asked the Obama administration to oppose an effort in Congress they said would threaten the global aviation alliances that allow relief from antitrust law to coordinate schedules and fares, particularly on transatlantic routes.
Lobbyists for airlines, hotels and other travel organisations said in a letter to US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Monday that ending the tie ups would cost jobs and weaken an industry nervous about softening demand amid recession.
"The emergence of global alliances - which are defined by their core European/US airlines partnerships - have eliminated inefficiencies, promoted best practices and fostered vigorous competition," said the letter to LaHood.
The move comes as LaHood's office considers two antitrust immunity applications.
Continental Airlines wants to join United Airlines Lufthansa in the Star Alliance. American Airlines and British Airways would like to cement deeper ties under the Oneworld banner.
Representative James Oberstar, the chairman of the Transportation Committee in the House of Representatives has co-authored a provision in aviation legislation that would launch a government study of whether the alliances serve the public interest, especially those with antitrust immunity.
"They sure work in the corporate interest," Oberstar told the International Aviation Club on Monday, underscoring his intention of allowing alliances to expire if the administration finds them unfair to consumers or monopolistic.
Oberstar believes concentration of the biggest carriers under three global alliance flags with immunity - Star, Oneworld and SkyTeam - would amount to what the influential lawmaker called "defacto mergers" over the routes they share.
"Is that what I voted for when I voted for (US airline) deregulation in 1978?" Oberstar asked. "Hell no."
SkyTeam is led by Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines, which last year merged with Northwest Airlines.
Antitrust immunity accelerated this decade to meet exploding world travel demand, allowing alliance members to operate as one flight on certain routes. Carriers are able to share pricing and scheduling information as well as ticketing and facilities.
Immunity is an easier way for carriers to build networks without running afoul of US law that discourages mergers between domestic and overseas airlines. The arrangements also can be lucrative and are cheap to operate, compared to a merger.
The airlines also argue that the alliances provide crucial flexibility with the recession eroding transatlantic travel, the most important overseas market for many American carriers.
Flights between the US and Europe fell 14 percent in the year ending January 2009, according to industry figures. Much of the drop in premium paying passenger traffic, especially between New York and London, corresponds closely to the financial services industry meltdown. Fares are also falling on overseas routes.

(Reuters)

Philipsburg- Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams has been invited by the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bayer Inc. Philip Blake, to speak at a breakfast meeting on March 30 at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort.
Bayer Inc., an inventor company that puts science to work in the areas of health, nutrition and high-tech materials, both across Canada and around the world, is holding its President's Conference Club event on the island from March 28 to April 4.
Each year the company organizes an event to recognize a number of employees for their outstanding dedication and commitment to their work by inviting them to the President's Conference Club.
Bayer Inc. creates innovative products, breakthrough treatments and healthier alternatives to improve the quality of life for people, animals and communities.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Public Health & Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus is encouraging the community to take part in a collaborative effort of the St. Maarten Lions Club of a Health and Wellness Fair at the Festival Village on Saturday, March 28 from 10.00am to 6.00pm.

On Thursday Commissioner Buncamper was presented with the official Health and Wellness Fair T-Shirt which will be worn by all stakeholders who will be part of the fair. An invitation was also extended to the commissioner to attend the Saturday event.

The delegation from the Lion's Club Health Committee took the opportunity to thank the Commissioner for the assistance provided by Sector Public Health, Social Development & Labour.

Commissioner Buncamper expressed her appreciation for the work the Lion's Club is doing on the island and encouraged the members to keep up the good work they have been doing for the St. Maarten community.

A number of free and valuable services will be available on the day for those who visit the fair. There will be an abundance of health information and free glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol testing as well as vaccination for children four years of age and younger.

All parents/guardians and youth born as of January 1, 1986 through December 31, 2004 are invited and urged to visit the booth of the section Youth Health Care to either update their vaccination status or records.

Students of pre-exam and exam classes especially are urged to make use of this opportunity to either update their vaccination status or their records. You are required to bring along all your vaccination records.

Information will be available on breast cancer, mental health, pregnancy, safe sex practices, dental care and other general health care issues.

"This fair presents an opportunity for you, a family member or a friend to go and get free testing for a number of the things mentioned above. Your health is your wealth and I encourage everybody to make use of this opportunity," Commissioner of Public Health & Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the (GIS).

The fair is being organized by the club in collaboration with St. Maarten Medical Center, Sector Public Health, Social Development & Labour, White & Yellow Cross, Diabetes Foundation and the HIV/AIDS Foundation.

GREAT BAY:---- The Island territory of St. Maarten is hosted its second naturalization ceremony, on Friday, March 27, as part of the process for non-nationals to obtain Dutch citizenship.
The ceremony was held at the Government Administration Building, as was the first such ceremony held in December 2008, on Kingdom Day. At that time, a total of 67 persons received the Dutch nationality.
St. Maarten introduced the ceremony, taking into consideration that becoming a Dutch national is, indeed, a very special occasion, similarly as in other countries, when non-nationals obtain citizenship.
The Dutch naturalization ceremony was first launched in the Netherlands in 2001 by the then Minister for Urban Policy and the Integration of Ethnic Minorities. At that time, participation still took place on a voluntary basis. In 2006, under former Minister for Immigration and Integration, Rita Verdonk, the ceremony became a compulsory part of the naturalization procedure.
What is also new to the procedure is a declaration of allegiance, to be administered to all new Dutch citizens in the Netherlands and on the islands. The declaration of allegiance will therefore become a permanent part of the ceremony.
The aim of this new compulsory part is to emphasize the allegiance to the Netherlands - or if a person lives in one of the other countries of the Kingdom: the allegiance with that part of the Kingdom - and the democratic legal order.
At Friday's ceremony, applicants will be presented with a notification of the granting of Dutch citizenship.
The purpose of a naturalization ceremony is to have new citizens feel more involved with their community and the kingdom of the Netherlands, fully appreciating the rights and obligations of all Dutch citizens. The ceremony is then seen as a culmination of the integration process.
The compulsory nature of the ceremony is seen as an advantage and seeks to reiterate that the attaining of Dutch citizenship is a serious matter to which a great deal of value is attached. It is also to show that authorities attach great significance to the successful completion of this procedure.
It should be noted that this formal procedure is intended for everyone who becomes a Dutch national through option or naturalization.
The new Dutch citizens invited to the event are reminded that they will only become a Dutch national if they attend the naturalization ceremony. If they do not attend the ceremony, they will receive a new invitation for the next naturalization ceremony. The maximum period in which one has a chance to attend the ceremony is one (1) year. If one fails to attend the ceremony within that year, one would have to be subjected to the naturalization process once more.
New applicants are meanwhile being reminded of the procedures for the administering of the new naturalization test. This is one part of the naturalization process for foreigners residing in the Netherlands Antilles, and which came into effect as of the 1st of October, 2007.
Foreigners desiring to become a Dutch national must first take a naturalization test. Only after having passed the complete test, may the foreigner submit a request for naturalization.
The naturalization test in the Netherlands Antilles is focused primarily on testing one's knowledge of the community and the governmental structure, as well knowledge of the Dutch or English language.
Candidates must first be screened at the Bureau Local Chief of Police, located at the Sun color building, before qualifying to take the naturalization test.

Philipsburg- Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, says she is looking forward to the meeting of the Justice Steering Group meeting scheduled for March 23 where a new proposal will be tabled related to direct funding for judicial projects on the island.

The Justice Steering Group meeting brings together the Ministers of Justice of The Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles.

"In my discussions with Dutch Secretary of State for Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld during her stop-over last week, we discussed a number of things including the funds for St. Maarten for the improvement in the area of justice.

"A new proposal on how to bring the decision-making with respect to the funds destined for the island closer to St. Maarten will be discussed at that steering group meeting. I am confident that this matter will be resolved allowing us to work on long overdue improvements to the judicial system," Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

Wescot-Williams also appraised the State Secretary about plans presently underway for a mission to The Hague in April. Constitutional Developments Coordinator Dennis Richardson was in Holland several weeks ago executing some preparatory work for the mission.

A quick review was also given of the process of constitutional change the nation is currently engaged in and the nation's transition activities and the execution of the November 24, 2008 agreement.

The next Political Steering Group meeting is scheduled for March 25 and 26.

Philipsburg: --- As per March 1, 2009, the fuel clause relief of 9 cents per kilowatt-hour has been removed from the utility bills. The fuel clause relief was introduced in September 2006 when the price of a barrel of oil was approximately $65. The relief was increased to a total of 9 cents per kilowatt-hour in September 2008 after oil reached a peak of $147 per barrel in July. Largely due to lower demand for oil as a result of the global economic crisis, the price for oil has stabilized around $40 per barrel, which is about $25 less per barrel than when the fuel clause relief was originally introduced.
Although the price of oil continued to drop in 2009 to levels that no longer warranted any fuel clause relief, GEBE maintained the relief for the full six months as originally promised.
GEBE continues to encourage customers to conserve energy in order to maintain low electricity bills. Especially in times of economic crisis, saving money is even more important. Ways to reduce your electricity consumption are to use less air-conditioning, change your light bulbs to Compact Florescent bulbs or LED lighting and turn off or plug out electrical appliances when not in use.
GEBE also clarified that even though oil prices are currently low, the company would continue to pursue renewable energy sources for St. Maarten, Saba and Statia to reduce the dependence on oil. We also need to take into account that when the global recession ends, all of the factors that drove oil prices to record highs last summer will reemerge and oil prices could possibly rise above $100 per barrel again. We cannot afford to become too complacent. GEBE will continue to work towards affordable, reliable and quality electricity taking the environment into account.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Tourism Affairs Roy Marlin welcomes KLMs capacity increase to the island on March 29 when the airline introduces its new summer schedule.

The larger Boeing 747 will replace the current MD-11 that has been flying to the Antilles and Aruba during the last two years. The aircraft will fly to the island on Tuesdays and Thursday on its way to Curacao.

"This change means that the capacity of passengers that are able to fly to the island will increase due to the larger aircraft which seats 428.

"We are living in challenging economic times and this additional seat capacity can result in additional Europeans who can afford to travel to the island.

"This once again signifies the confidence that the airline has in the island as a destination," Commissioner of Tourism Affairs Roy Marlin told the (GIS).

Philipsburg - Commissioner responsible for Education Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, says the Island Government is looking at a possible synchronization of policies where it relates to immigration, compulsory education and labour.
A multi-disciplinary team comprising of the Education and Labour Departments, representatives of the Cabinet of the Governor, and St. Maarten's Judicial Affairs representative Richard Gibson Sr., met to discuss current developments and brainstorm about synchronization of policies where it concerns the Island and Central Governments.
"For example, there is a discrepancy in policies where it concerns the type of documents needed for a child to register at a school and this is confusing for parents as well as school administrators. A norm needs to be established on all levels where the registering of especially undocumented kids is concerned and where the parents don't have to fear immigration raids.
"You have a policy at the Central Government level where regardless of the child's status, the child should be allowed to attend school, however this does not mean that their parents will be granted a residence permit.
"The Island Government has decided to implement a phased process related to complying with compulsory education, whereby the Department of Education has started the process to register 4 to 6-year olds and have them placed in the school system for the 2009-2010 school year. Compulsory education will be implemented over a five-year period.
"There are a number of things that need to be synchronized. Policies at the Central Government level are conflicting with policies at the Island Territory level. There are changes taking place within the sphere of immigration and the Executive Council has not been consulted on these. The Central Government needs to be more forthcoming.
"Country St. Maarten cannot shy away from its responsibilities and will deal with the challenges that will be left behind when the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles has concluded," Commissioner of Educational Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).
Another project that the Island Government is currently seeking funding from USONA for is a study of the status of undocumented schools with respect to teachers' competencies, qualifications, physical infrastructure of buildings, and the learning abilities and disabilities of the children attending those schools as well as the training of truant officers.
It became clear in the meeting that the program needs to be implemented to clear up the backlog of persons whose status remains undocumented or in process and who have been residing on the island before December 31, 2005.
The next question of course would be according to Commissioner Wescot is, what about those persons who came in after December 31, 2005?
Everybody agreed that border controls needed to be enhanced in order to stop the future influx of persons who continue to put tremendous pressure on public and social services.

PHILIPSBURG-The GEBE Supermarket Challenge Team surprised scores of shoppers with prizes at grocery stores during the month of February as part of the GEBE Reusable Shopping Bag campaign. Assisted by representatives of the Nature Foundation and St. Maarten Pride Foundation, the GEBE team presented a prize of Naf 100 to the first shopper leaving with any reusable bags instead of plastic bags at the participating supermarkets of Afoo, Le Grand Marche, The Fresh Market, Sangs and Sunny Foods.
So far, a total of 18 shoppers using their reusable bags won Naf 100 on the spot. "I didn't believe it at first," a winner explained. "I just use the bag because it holds so much. My home has stairs and it is easier to walk once with one bag than three times with 10 plastic bags." Due to the great response, the GEBE Supermarket Challenge will continue the program into March. "We have another nine certificates to give out," explained Giselle Dirckx-Williams, GEBE Corporate Communications Officer, "So we will be coming to a supermarket near you with more prizes, but only if you are using a reusable shopping bag."
The GEBE reusable bag program is aimed at reducing the amount of plastic bags in our environment by encouraging shoppers to walk with their own bags. It is estimated that St. Maarten uses hundreds of thousands of plastic bags per year; all of which end up on the landfill and in our environment. But changing behavior can be difficult. Many shoppers leaving with plastic bags were less thrilled to learn that they did not win. Especially those who had forgotten their reusable bag either at home or right in their car. "It's hard," explained Barbara Cannegieter, a St. Maarten Pride Foundation volunteer, "First you have to remember to put the bag in your car and then you have to remember to bring it with you in the store."
"We still have a way to go in educating the population on the drawbacks of plastic bags," Dirckx-Williams explained, "The majority of shoppers still use plastic bags, but we are seeing a gradual increase in the amount of customers shopping with reusable bags."
Plastic bags have an enormous impact on our environment. They litter our beaches and surroundings, end up in our landfill and since they do not biodegrade, the plastic stays in our environment for up to 1000 years.
Reusable bags are on sale by most major supermarkets, such as Cost U Less and Le Grand Marche, who recently launched their own brand of reusable bags that sell for $2 of which proceeds go to the various environmental organizations. Other non-profit organizations such as the Animal Welfare foundation also sell reusable bags as a way to raise funds for their cause.

St. Peters:--- Students of the Starlight Education is getting back to normal and are moving ahead speedily with their school work says director of the institution Carmen Hodge. Hodge said students of the school is receiving half an hour each day to make up for the five weeks they have lost when the students were locked out for lack of rent payments. She said teachers and the students also attended school last week when there was school mid term break for the other schools. "with the time we have allotted we will surpass the amount of hours the students missed when the school was locked" Hodge said.
Asked if the 6th graders are adequately prepared for the high school entrance examinations next month Hodge said all 21 students in that grade are prepared and the teachers are doing their vey best to make sure they are up to par. "The sixth grade teachers are really pushing hard and they need to get credit for their efforts while the students are also fully involved with the extra school work they are given.

Philipsburg:--- The TODAY newspaper has become the latest victim of burglary. It is understood that workers of the Today Newspaper realized their office was broken when they showed up for work yesterday.

It is said it seems as if the office was broken into on Saturday night since one of the staff members passed by the office during the day on Saturday and did not notice anything suspicious.

The thief destroyed a padlock on the gate prior to smashing the glass door of the office to gain entry. Once inside he ransacked all of the desks, leaving some checks behind, as well as laptop computer that were in one of the drawers.

 In a back office, the bandit broke open a door that leads to a storage space. It seems as of the thief must have injured himself when he broke into the office since it seems as if he bled profusely and he left some clear shoe prints behind in his own blood.

He finally made off with a cable box. The police responded promptly to the burglary report on Sunday afternoon. A forensic detective took pictures of the crime scene.

The burglary fits a pattern of burglaries in the same neighborhood. The modus operandi suggests that the burglary is the work of one man.

 

Press Secretary to the Commissioner states the following:

Philipsburg:--"Commissioner of Sports Maria Buncamper-Molanus welcomes the involvement of Councilman Frans Richardson in getting the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex (RISC) renovated. As the Commissioner has said publicly on numerous occasions, the process is well underway to ensure direct government involvement in the board and the daily management of the facility. This type of involvement will be new as the articles of incorporation of the RISC was established in away that did not allow government as much involvement as it should have in the facility.

The new board members have been identified and await approval by the Executive Council. A plan is being drafted to completely refurbish the RISC. The Commissioner in the past has also visited the facility on three different occasions and participated in discussions with the former board for quick-fixes when was necessary at the facility. However, the Commissioner is adamant about ensuring that the facility is adequately equipped and maintained for the hundreds of people, young and old alike, who make use of it on a daily basis.

It is also one of the reasons she is currently in Tallahassee exploring options for RISC in terms of equipment and other infrastructure improvements of the facility. Councilman Richardson is a sports lover, just like the Commissioner, so his voice is an important one in this process. The Commissioner looks forward to his bi-partisan cooperation when the time comes to get RISC back to a level we can all be proud of."

Philipsburg- The just-concluded 29th Annual St. Maarten/St. Martin Heineken Regatta was more than "serious fun" for some: it also served as the entrée for a group of journalists drawn from The Netherlands and Brazil to feast on the rich culture and heritage of St. Maarten.
According to Dutch journalist, Ellen Vogel, visiting the island for the first time, the regatta was "only a very small part" of her assignment here. Although she writes for a sailing magazine - Yacht Vision - with a circulation of some 26,000, she is more interested in telling a more compelling story about the island "from a different angle".
A visit to the St. Maarten Museum may have provided her with the story she is looking for, as well as the "different angle". She was very impressed by the dedication, commitment and passion with which the Museum director, Elsje Wilson, goes about her work, while she finds the island's history quite fascinating.
Bibi Schobbers writes for a religious magazine, Zeilen - and like Ellen Vogel, sees the regatta as an excuse to explore the realities of St. Maarten. Accompanied by photographer Guido Peter Briem, Bibi says she is so impressed by what she has seen so far that she would gladly move her family here.
"This is so different from what we hear about St. Maarten in Holland," she said, stressing that she came without any particular expectations, but with "an open mind".
Sunday morning worship at Praise Tabernacle Church in Colebay was for her, "very inspiring," while her photographer Guido rated it "the highlight of our stay here so far."
"There's hardly anything Dutch here," observed Bibi, after discovering that the Dutch language is not among the top three most commonly spoken language on the island.
The film crew from Brazil was busy capturing not only the exciting scenes from the regatta itself, but the breathtaking beauty of the island and its people as well. Cameraman Daniel took as many shots as he possibly could, including of the concerts. He was particularly struck by the high-energy performance of the Youth Wave band, which was the opening act for Carimi, and all the journalists were swept off their feet by the Wailers.
"It is totally incredible that you have so many thousands of people without any pushing and shoving," noted Ximena, the TV journalist/producer, who compared the atmosphere at the concerts with that of carnival in Sao Paolo.
Another Brazilian journalist, Antonio Carlos Alonso Vera Jr. who writes for Nautica Magazine, was equally thrilled by his experience on the island. "The food is fantastic, the people are very nice, and you have a very beautiful island: this is paradise, indeed," he said.
Regina LaBega, Director of Tourism, hosts of the journalists, expressed satisfaction at their experience of the island.
"I'm sure this will generate a very positive coverage for St. Maarten, especially in the Dutch market where the island seems to have been suffering from an image problem, and of course, in Brazil where we are intensifying efforts to increase our market share," Ms. LaBega commented.
"At a time when all the predictions point to a significant decline in world travel caused by the global financial and economic crisis, we can do with all the positive coverage we can get in markets such as Holland and Brazil where St. Maarten needs to become more visible," she said.
LaBega added: "These journalists can help to convey the truth about the beauty of our island and the genuine friendliness of our people, and in so doing, paint a more positive picture that will make more visitors choose St. Maarten as their vacation destination."

Philipsburg- Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Education Sarah Wescot-Williams, would like to wish the students participating in the 2009 Math A-Lympiad much success as they vie for the honour of being named Math A-Lympiad champions 2009.
A group of students from the Milton Peter College (MPC) left the island last Thursday for Garderen, the Netherlands to compete against 16 rival math teams from Holland, Denmark, Germany and Aruba.
The St. Maarten students are Jonathan Etnel (17), Syt Bin Fong (16), Mae-Ann Snijders (16), and Tijn van Veen (16).
"The math A-Lympiad is a pinnacle event for the youth with a passion and special talent in maths. They are the best of the best. Competitions such as the aforementioned is an excellent opportunity for our top math students to pit their knowledge and skills with the best and to network with youth who could be future leaders in their chosen field.
"It is important for students to be exposed to a range of disciplines. Country St. Maarten will need all hands on deck as we continue to develop socially and economically. I would like to thank those persons who have prepared these students for this challenging event and I wish them much success as this is an opportunity of a lifetime," Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Philipsburg: ---- Perla Rombley member of the Dutch Taxi Association (DSTA) has been officially suspended by the DSTA board for five days. In an interview with SMN News Rombley said she met with the President of the DSTA and five other members yesterday morning at the DSTA office. She said in that meeting she expressed her grievances to the board concerning the other board member whom she claimed has been harassing her. Rombley said instead of the board seeking to rectify the problem and bring about a solution to the ongoing feud they poured gasoline on the fire instead of water.
Rombley said she is now accused of trying to run over the president of the DSTA board with her van. In the letter that was given to Rombley it is stated that when the Vice President approached her she was disrespectful and she tried to run over the President to which there is two witnesses. The continued to say Rombley has to respect the rules and regulation of the DSTA and be respectful in the future.

"This is a complete lie and I already sought advice from my lawyer who would be seeking compensation from the DSTA board. As a member of the DSTA I know the constitution of the DSTA. The DSTA cannot suspend anyone from working since taxi drivers do not work for the Association. The DSTA constitution does not have anything in it that says the Association can take such actions. I intend to seek compensation for the six days I was prevented from work." Rombley said she also have two witnesses who were in the vicinity and saw differently.
Managing Director of the A. C Wathey Cruise Facility said he is aware of the situation and he actually asked Rombley to remove her vehicle since he could not allow anyone to disturb the free flow of business at the facility. Franca said he also spoke to the president concerning the matter and expected that they DSTA would deal with the issue professionally.

Philipsburg:--This week from March 9th thru 12th 2009 all Cycle II teachers enrolled in the Teacher Retraining & Upgrading Program will attend the LAB Sessions on the Project Approach training.
These sessions are held at the Carl's & Sons Conference Room from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Project Approach is one of the five (5) modules that the Cycle II teachers have to complete to be certified as an FBE teacher for Cycle II.
According to the book "The Project Approach" by S.C. Chard, "A project is an in-depth study of a real world topic or theme. The study may be carried out by individual children, groups of children, or the whole class."

The module of the Project Approach started at the beginning of February and is scheduled to finish at the end of March 2009.
During the module the Cycle II teachers are taught how to introduce the Project Approach in their classroom by having them actively participate in the execution of their own project.
They had to select a topic on which they wanted to do an in-depth study, and then go through all the phases of the study such as the introductory phase, the research phase and the review phase.

The Teacher Retraining & Upgrading Program has been outsourced by DERPI to the USM who are coordinating the training. The instructors of this module are teachers representing the five (5) primary school boards who have been trained by S.C. Chard.
The funding for these trainings is provided through USONA from the Dutch development funds.

After this training all parents of students in Cycle II can look forward to their children being involved in this new approach of doing Project work.

Philipsburg- Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, recently met with Antillean Minister of Justice David Dick, and was provided with an update related to the various law enforcement initiatives that his ministry is working on.

The meeting was on the basis of the discussion that the Executive Council had with the Antillean Prime Minister and the Governor-General during their recent official working visit to the island.

"Issues discussed with the Prime Minister and the Governor-General as well as matters addressed in writing to the Minister of Justice such as the immigration issue at the Princess Juliana International Airport and plans for the Police Force were discussed at length.

"I also addressed the communication that the Executive Council sent to Minister Dick regarding the ‘quarter master' (kwartiermaker) we appointed for immigration matters in the person of Ligia Stella. It is of utmost importance that the plans which the Minister is executing now for immigration be coordinated with whom we have put in place to set up the immigration department for country St. Maarten as well as those persons responsible for the transfer of justice tasks to the island.

"As I have stated before synchronization of processes is essential and while information exchange is important, it's now it's to work together in putting things in place," Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).

The meeting of the Justice Ministers on the Safety Plan Netherlands Antilles scheduled for March 23 has been canceled, however it is the intention that the plan be put on the agenda of the Political Steering Group meeting of March 26.

Minister Dick has consented to give a presentation to the Central Committee regarding the various law enforcement initiatives that he is busy with.

Philipsburg:--- As a truly sincere gesture of generosity, the students of the Interact Club of St. Dominic High School conducted a fundraising to support fellow students from the St. Maarten Archaeological Center (SIMARC), who are organizing a celebration of St. Maarten National Day of Trees this coming Sunday afternoon.

President of the Interact Club of St. Dominic, Ms. Dolly Miripuri, presented a check to the SIMARC President, Dr. Jay Haviser, to support the Tree Day activities of SIMARC. This fundraising was the initiative of Interact Club and SIMARC member, Mr. Suvir Pursnani, and it really highlights the importance of youth helping youth. Together with the Interact Club members, were their Rotary Club observer Mr. Jon Hart, and their teacher observer Ms. Lucas. This Sunday, March 22nd, from 3:30pm-4:30pm at Emilio Wilson Park, the Welgelegen Roundabout, the Pond fill parking at Philipsburg, and at the Simpson Bay Police Station, will be simultaneous tree-plantings with the entire public invited to help make St. Maarten a more beautiful place. This is a cooperative project of SIMARC, the Rotaract Club, and the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. By taking one hour of your time to come out and support our National Tree Day, it is an excellent way to show that our community and nature are growing together!

 

Leader of Government participates in Tree planting at the Emilio Wilson Park.

Air France will formally register its interest in Czech Airlines' privatisation today, eyeing potential central and eastern European network gains.
Today marks the cut-off for expressions of interest in the privatisation, which was launched last month by the Czech finance ministry. It has placed just over 91% of the Czech SkyTeam member up for tender and is aiming to reveal the winning bidder by no later than 30 September.
Air France says: "Air France-KLM today will be submitting a non-binding expression of interest in order to access the airline's data room.
"Czech Airlines is a close partner of Air France-KLM, particularly in the SkyTeam Alliance, of which it has been a member since 2001. Its network is highly complementary to that of Air France-KLM. Among other things, it would enable the group to strengthen its position in central and Eastern Europe."
Air France adds that the Czech finance ministry is not expecting any binding offers until June, allowing time for due diligence.
"This process reflects the broader view of Air France-KLM on the air transport industry, as the group has very often expressed its intention to take part in the necessary consolidation of the sector," says the French SkyTeam member.
When it detailed the tender, the Czech finance ministry said the winning bidder will have to maintain Czech Airlines' core air transport operations, its safety and security standards, as well as a domestic base at Prague Airport for a minimum period of five years after the takeover.
Last year Czech Airlines delivered a pre-tax profit of Kc500 million ($23.4 million), Kc389 million up on 2007, maintaining its revenues at Kc23.24 billion.
Aeroflot has tentatively expressed an interest in Czech Airlines, although last month the Russian carrier said it was seeking a Czech partner to participate in the process.

Scheduled service airline passenger fatalities fell 25.2% to 439 in 2008 from 587 in 2007, though the actual rate of accidents decreased only "marginally," according to preliminary figures reported by ICAO last week.
There were 11 fatal accidents worldwide in 2008, identical to 2007. "The accident rate for scheduled air services, measured in passenger fatalities per 100 million passenger-km. performed [the number of passengers multiplied by the number of km. traveled] decreased marginally, from approximately 0.01391 in 2007 to about 0.01370 in 2008," ICAO stated. "This was almost identical to the 2007 rate."
But the UN organization pointed out that from 1990 to 2008, "there has been a significant decline in the accident rate, from around 19 accidents per 10 million departures in 1990 to around four in 2008." Annual fatal accidents have decreased 62% compared to 1990, when there were 29.
On the security front, ICAO reported 24 acts of unlawful interference on scheduled service flights in 2008, leading to 11 fatalities and 31 injuries; in 2007 there were 22 acts, 18 persons killed and 33 injured.
"While the safety and security of commercial aviation keeps improving over the long term, we continue to work. . .to consistently reduce even more the number of accidents and fatalities, Council President Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez said. "This is imperative if air transport is to keep growing." IATA released its own figures, which differed slightly, last month.

(ATW Online)

Philipsburg - Head of the Census Office Leona Marlin, would like to remind residents especially seniors and other persons holding an old St. Maarten identity card (ID), that as of April 1, the cards will be invalid and persons may not be able to access certain services if they use the old ID card as a form of identification.

Persons are hereby reminded to visit the Census Office before April 1 to turn in their old ID cards and replace it with the new credit card size cards that were introduced several years ago.

Banks and other institutions where some form of ID is required for services, will no longer accept the old St. Maarten ID card after April 1. Persons still have Friday and next week Monday and Tuesday to turn in their old St. Maarten ID cards for the new credit card size card.

The administrative cost for a new ID card is Naf.35 and for senior citizens (60+) Naf.15.

The ID card is legal proof of identity. It is used to open bank accounts or other types of services that requires some form of identification.

The ID card is also a required document for some government procedures and services.

The law requires that a person carries some form of identification with them at all times and the ID card is the handiest one and preferred method of formal identification.

Failure to produce the card may result in being denied access to premises or attainment of goods and services.

Those who require further information can call the Census Office at: 542-2457 or 542-5375.

PORT-DE-PlAISANCE----- The effect of the regional and global economic impact has the full attention of the Parliaments of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and the National Assembly Suriname. According to the President of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles "this is something that we have to monitor closely."
He stressed that even though there is not any development of any strong economic development over a number of years there is need for caution in the near future so that the world economic crisis does not develop into a slowdown of the economy. He called on the governments to look at economic development projects in several countries and also that the Central Banks must have a "close supervisory look at the financial and development of the countries."
There was also a discussion on obesity which is said to be prevalent in the countries and sees this as a problem that is affecting the entire population of our countries. He said in an investigation that was done it was proved that about 63% of the population was obese and as a result they have concluded that it is important for the people recognize that they have a problem.
He said that the Minister of Health Omyra Leeflang in her presentation spoke of encouraging the population to move and eat healthy.

GLOBAL WARMING

The matter of Global Warming also came up for discussion during the Tripartite meeting. According to the president of Parliament there were very enlightening discussions on the matter. He indicated that the delegations who attended the sessions were very concerned about the climate change and is in favour of regional co-operation of mutual respect since the global warming is not a natural phenomenal.
If nothing is done by the present administrations by the year 2100 the air temperature will rise between 1.4 degrees to 4 degrees Celsius and in some parts of the world there will be no rainfall and in some areas there will be flooding. It was also reported that the sea level will rise to as much as 80 centimetres and as result will have serious consequences for the islands in the Caribbean Sea.

It was decided that they will adopt the recommendations by the experts in the inter-governmental panel on climate change that is expected work with the recommendations for a policy. They are urging the governments to install a committee in all the countries of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and Suriname to come out with a policy for climate change and participate in the inter-governmental forums on solutions and are cognizant of the fact that they alone cannot make the change.
"This is the only way that the countries in the world can come up with solutions for the world that we can live in for generations to come. It was decided that in the next Tripartite meeting that they will further discuss this matter.

Philipsburg: -- Former Island Council member Gracita Arrindell expressed personal thanks and appreciation to the Board of Directors of the Q-Kingdom Ministries and a special appreciation went out to Rt. Reverend Sylvetta Hamilton- Gonzales, founder and principal of MACADEMY School of Science and technology and founder of the Women of Great Esteem Award (WGE) Award for the recognition and encouragement to ‘ascend on the ladder of accomplishment and world recognition. The other five honorees of which she had the privilege of sharing this memorable occasion are; Mrs. Sandra Grannum, Esq. from New York., Mrs. Nilcia Robinson- Hazell form St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jane LP from Hong Kong, Rosemarie Wright- Pascoe MBBS, from Jamaica and Posthumously, the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs- Jones former Congress women from the State of Ohio".

Gracita stated "A special honor meeting with the Honorable Congress Woman Mrs. Yvette D. Clarcke and receiving from her several certificates of appreciation from the City of New York, including a certificate of special congressional recognition in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community."

‘As stated during the acceptance speech Saturday evening a wonderful award ceremony among local dignitaries, friends and family, the highest esteem and admiration went out to the students and faculty of the school for its accomplishments to educating our children, because education is the great equalizer in the world. It was a special treat for me to meet and interact with the brilliant and well mannered young students of the MACADEMY, who are being prepared at an early age to be the ‘global leaders' for tomorrow".

Gracita concluded in a press release that being recognized for her contributions to Public administration, Good Governance and politics on St. Maarten inspires her to continue contributing to do public service to the people of St Maarten".

Philipsburg- Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, says that the Executive Council would like to receive information about the reorganization of the Netherlands Antilles Immigration Service as well as about plans for the establishment of an Admissions Organization for the current Netherlands Antilles.

An invitation for a meeting early March has been sent to Antillean Minister of Justice David Dick with respect to the aforementioned.

Wescot-Williams says that the immigration service of the Netherlands Antilles over a period of many years has had a major challenge in securing the borders and controlling migration to St. Maarten.

"Based on the November 2008 agreements where the transition of responsibilities of various tasks is concerned, St. Maarten is still being left in the dark where immigration and judicial planning is concerned.

"As we move one more step closer to the attainment of country status, our island nation has to have a border control system in place that adequately controls those who enter and leave the island as well as those who overstay their welcome.

"Due to the lack of attention paid in the past, our island nation is confronted with a number of challenges which are being dealt with and others which can only be dealt with once we receive the authority to do so. However, in order to deal with these in a comprehensive and correct manner, the left hand needs to know what the right hand is doing.

"An invitation was extended to the Antillean Minister of Justice in January for a meeting; however we have never received a response. Decisions are being taken which have far reaching consequences for St. Maarten as an Island Territory as well as Country. Synchronization of processes is essential," Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus is seeking to establish an early relationship with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of Miami since the responsibilities of the Central Government meteorological service will be transferred to the Island Territory as of July 1, 2009.

The transfer of tasks and responsibilities is based on the November 24, 2008 agreement that was signed between the Island Territory and the Central Government.

"In anticipation of the takeover, the Central Government will be asked to cooperate with the action plan of St. Maarten which is taking a pro-active approach in preparing for country status and the responsibilities that come with it.

"St. Maarten is in the hurricane belt and we need to establish direct protocols with the NHC out of Miami which has the resources with respect to satellites and aircraft that keep track of these systems throughout the Atlantic, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico and provide early warning for the residents," Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Monday.

The 2008 hurricane season according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) produced a record number of consecutive storms to strike the United States and ranks as one of the more active seasons in the 64 years since comprehensive records began.

A total of 16 named storms formed in the 2008 season, which included eight hurricanes, five of which were major hurricanes at category three strength or higher.

"According to the NOAA, the 2008 hurricane season continued the current active hurricane era and is the tenth season to produce above-normal activity in the past 14-years.

"The 2008 season overall, is tied as the fourth most active in terms of named storms (16) and major hurricanes (five), and is tied as the fifth most active in terms of hurricanes (eight) since 1944. St. Maarten as an island nation in the hurricane belt has to ensure that we have direct links with institutions that can provide reliable early warning information in order for residents and businesses to prepare for an approaching storm," Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus explained.

 

Philipsburg:---In preparation for the Economic Summit the SHTA has requested a number of figures from Government departments, as well as conducting its own survey, because the SHTA believes that the first step in solving or mitigating any problem is having accurate information and a comprehensive understanding of the problem.

The data the SHTA requested included: Room tax, Timeshare Tax, Car Rental Tax, Wage Tax, TOT, Electricity & Water consumption, Shipping volumes and import duties on gasoline up to January 2009. Instead, the SHTA received the figures up to October/ November 2008. The SHTA is very concerned and disappointed that the information ends then. For not only does this limit the extent to which they could prepare for the Summit, it also prevents all parties from analyzing the actual situation.

The financial meltdown of the American International Group (AIG) and Fannie Mae, which was the first indicators of the Financial Crisis, both occurred in mid-September; therefore the SHTA feels that the effects may not have been reflected in the figures provided.

Regardless of the lack of current data, the SHTA is pleased that all stakeholders have finally agreed to work together towards the common goal of obtaining relief for St. Maarten and will continue to be an active stakeholder in this effort.

Philipsburg: --- The Memorandum of Understanding between the stakeholders and the island government o the economic summit was signed yesterday. On behalf of the island government Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper Molanus outlined the MOU which is for a six month period.

Parties have agreed that they are aware of the potential effects of the current global financial challenges on the economy of St Maarten, and the need for urgent joint action to address this issue;

It has been determined that where feasible to mitigate the effects of said crisis on the economy of St Maarten and work towards sustainable economic growth and prosperity for St Maarten and its citizens on the short-, medium-, and long term.

President of the Chamber of Commerce Glen Carty made clear that the task given at the summit today is not an easy one. He said while many persons from the different sectors will be attending this summit with one or more goals they all need to work together to find solutions to mitigate and deal with the crisis ahead in the interest of the island. Carty said he already predicted a challenge if not this would not work. While he feels that some may one to gain political popularity or most recognized unions. He said that he felt that these persons would have to put aside their differences so that they can overcome their negative impact of the global crisis.
He said the most important part of this is the implementation of whatever solutions are found. He said despite what they have to make this effort work.

(MISOPLWHA'S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF OECS MEDIA INITIATIVE ON HIVAIDS CO-FOUNDER AND GBN PRODUCER, JENNIFER JONES)

THE Grenada and OECS media fraternity have lost a young hero of the modern press.
Miss Jennifer Jones, Co-Founder of the OECS Media Initiative on HIVAIDS and a producer with the Grenada Broadcasting Network has died.

Though a very young and rapidly rising media star owing to her very impressive well structured and effectively executed television documentaries, Jones had gained national recognition within Grenada as a well respected and trusted producer.

The young lady's passion for journalism was evident and this saw Jones going the length and breath of her native Grenada to garner human interest stories and features that other media colleagues did not noticed or were too laid back in garnering. Her investigative reporting skills and passion to see the eradication of Stigma and Discrimination was evident when along with Rawle Nelson and a number of other media colleagues from St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Dominica and Nevis they established the OECS Media Initiative on HIVAIDS.

While Jones's name is etched in the annals of Grenada and the OECS media history for being instrumental in creating an awareness and interest in the approach taken by the media to the issue of HIVAIDS more in particular on stigma and discrimination.

She will more latterly be remembered for her active role when a few years ago she had made a passionate plea for the implementation of Heath Reporting training programmes for media workers within the OECS so as to assist them in becoming better at their craft.

Lately she played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Edward Greene Recognition Award and the PAHO/WHO Eastern Caribbean Response to HIVAIDS award. Jones did not see the execution of these two awards despite being instrumental in the section of the inaugural winners and also playing a key role in some of the ground work implementation after the initiative was taken readily on board by the OECS islands representatives.

Jones like many other persons on the committee felt that too many times people were being honored when they are too old and dead thus calling on national and regional institutions and organizations to recognize those that needed to be as she was of the opinion that recognition to a dead person or an individual that is very old would have lost its true meaning which should be recognition and motivation for the enormous work he or she would have made.

She had pointed out also that they were a number of persons within our society who was giving of their best but was not being recognized for their sterling contributions thus she saw the two new awards as a means to pay tribute and homage top some of those individuals.

However, due to unforeseen circumstance the two awards ceremony presentation which was slated for Saturday March 7th on St Maarten was postponed. While there were doubts that Jones would have attended the ceremony due to an unexpected cut in sponsorship budget for the event many persons were speechless and shocked to have learnt that Jennifer J as she was familiarly known in the HIVAIDS circle has died suddenly from a suspected massive heart attack while visiting her sister in England due to the illness of a close relative.

Though Jones was working for a privately owned media house she played a significant role in demonstrating to her other media colleagues the importance of not stigmatizing and discriminating against persons living and or affected by HIVAIDS. This fight was one that she fought vigorously and with the support and assistance of MISOPLWHA (Media in Support of People Living With HIVAIDS) Jones continued the fight until her sudden and unexpected passing.

For Jones and all those who stood by her side in her battle to eradicate stigma and discrimination of people living and or affected by HIVAIDS, she was of the firm belief that the region must move ahead in ensuring that education and understanding of the disease is widespread so as to inculcate a behavioral change.

She however felt that this must first begin with the media who she said should be blamed for failing to educate its readers, listeners and viewers through lack of education thus setting precedent for other OECS countries to follow.

Our heartfelt condolences to Jones's mother, sisters, relatives, the Board of Directors and staff of the Grenada Broadcasting Network, Executives and members of the OECS Media Initiative on HIVAIDS, and her friends in the Grenada, OECS and wider Caribbean media fraternity especially Kishawn Thomas.

We are confident that her sterling and passionate contribution to the media landscape especially in the area of HIV/AIDs will be long cherished and perpetuated by her competent team of colleagues in moving ahead the still young OECS media Initiative on HIVAIDS.

In mourning her sudden loss, we must sustain the torch-light of eradicating stigma and discrimination thus ensuring that people living and or affected by HIVAIDS can continue to live normal life with the full support of family and friends and not be placed into a corner so as to be stigmatized and discriminated because of their situation as a society that is sensitized, informed and educated about HIVAIDS is what Ms Jennifer Jones had fought for.

Philipsburg: --- The Guyanese man who has been identified as N has been released from pretrial detention yesterday afternoon after he appeared before the judge of instruction for an extension of time.
The man who works at the harbor is accused of molesting his 12 year old stepdaughter over a long period of time. This media house was reliably informed that the suspect may have molested other teenage girls that are now being investigated.
SMN News understands that the court of guardianship has removed the teenage girl who is highly traumatized and is now being rejected by her mother from the family home.
While it is understood the man allegedly abused all three of his stepdaughters the prosecutor said they have only received one complaint which pertains to 12 year of Starlight Education. Despite this it seems as if the prosecutor is not able to produce sufficient evidence against the suspected child molester.
This media house understands that the man may have fathered a child with his oldest stepdaughter who was his first victim and was sent back to Jamaica when she began talking with neighbors about the sexual abuse. It is said the young woman returned to St. Maarten and not long after became pregnant.
SMN News further understands that two of the children has since moved out of their mother's home and is now living at their aunt's house. The source said last Monday when the 12 year was abused she left her mother's house and went to her aunt who told her she did not have space to take her in. The child it is understood then went to a neighbor who rescued her for the night before turning the case over to the court of guardianship and police.
Several persons in the area where the family resides said the mother is rather upset with her daughter saying that they don't like her ‘husband" thus they are lying on him. One neighbor said the woman is even accusing the school director for calling the police since she is fully aware that the school knows what was happening over a year now. The source said the woman even called the school using fowl language at the teachers.

The Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation (PDHF) said though women's contributions, strides and sufferings cannot be confined to time and place it joins with the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis in saluting them on International Women's Day (IWD).

In a press release the PDHF said women's contributions to a number of critical sectors within the federation are many.

It said the common values that both the Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation and the Government of St Kitts and Nevis share in their undertaking to unite people have led to a national partnership where women have been instrumental in keeping the wheels of industry turning.

In keeping with this the Christian related NGO said it recalled the many and very significant struggles in years gone by that women of the federation had made so as to crate a platform fort the women of today to continue building upon.

At the same time, the foundation said women should also use this occasion to take stock of the progress of the cause and the need for reassessment of priorities. It said despite the accomplishments there are still "challenges that they face even in the 21st century."

The PDHF said it recognizes that in the beautiful federation of St Kitts and Nevis the average woman's opportunities for upward mobility are a fraction of that of a man's and that most women in the labour force are in lower paying jobs.

It said though in principle women's rights have improved worldwide "women continue to bear the greater share of the burden of inequality in every corner of the world."

This imbalance must be corrected the foundation said. Meantime, the membership of the Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation extends their gratitude to the local workforce which it said has an estimated 60% of which are women.

Philipsburg: ---On Saturday, police arrested two suspects in an ill-treatment case that had taken place on the A.Th Illidge Road. According to reports on Saturday afternoon two young men on seeing a man who they believed had stolen some items from their home a few days ago, abruptly stopped their car. One of the occupants jumped out the car with a machete and ran behind the man with the machete and injured the man. They then jumped back into the car and left the scene. The victim who was from Jamaica, D.W. (23) suffered cuts on his right hand and needed to be treated at the St Medical Center. At the police station in Philipsburg the two suspects were arrested for ill-treatment and for taking matters into their own hands.

Police also arrested on a Guyanese man who had ill-treated his former girlfriend. The suspect who had a child with his ex-girlfriend had slapped her and threatened to kill her if he was not allowed to see his daughter. He told police he was working two jobs to maintain his child. At the station it also turned out that the 34-year-old Guyanese suspect was not in possession of legal documents to reside on the island.

Philipsburg: --- Former Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Richard Panneflek who is now working for the island government as an advisor is expected to discuss his status with the Minister of Justice David Dick who is on the island for a two day visit. Pannflek who requested to leave the KPSSS and be at the disposal of the island government is seeking to have his Lands Besluit which the Minister has not issued.

Roland Ignacio of the ABVO said they already had some discussions on the issue of Panneflek. He said the ABVO indicated to the Minister that he should live up to their agreement. He said Panneflek should be meeting with the Minister while he is here and is expected to inform them on the outcome of the discussions. Ignacio said if the Minister does not live up to the agreement he has with Panneflek they would have to intervene and hold talks with the Minister. He said they have no intention to mobilize their members because Panneflek had an agreement directly with the Minister. Ignacio said since Panneflek is one of their members they would be looking out for his best interest which does not necessarily mean they would have to mobilize their members. He said the union will be taking administrative actions and if needs be they would be taking legal actions against the Minister of Justice.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, says she supports the initiative taken by the United Nations telecom agency, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the European Commission to protect children, among the most active and most vulnerable users of the Internet from online dangers, including cyber-bullying and paedophilia.
According to recent surveys, over 60 per cent of children and teenagers talk in chat rooms on a daily basis. Three in four children online are willing to share personal information about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services. One in five children will be targeted by a predator or paedophile each year.
"We must ensure that everyone is aware of the dangers for young people online which also include cyber-bullying. At the same time we must promote efforts that are being made around the world to limit these dangers.
"The internet has become a place for social networking. Many websites have been developed for social networking such as Hi5, Facebook and MySpace. Parents need to question their kids about the use of the internet and monitor as well what they are doing.
"I would encourage parents to purchase child online protection programmes in order to ensure a safe and secure online experience for our youth," Commissioner of Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told (GIS).

Marigot/ Philipsburg: --- The second suspect in the French Quarter Grocery robbery has decided to go come over to the French side of the island face prosecution for the robbery he committed on February 27.
Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said the suspect whom he identified as R.M 37 years of age from St. Maarten reconsidered his decision and decided to cooperate with the gendarmes and go over to the French side. The man he said was transferred to the French side of the island on Thursday.
In a press release from the gendarmerie states that the suspect is suspected of committing two armed robberies on February 27 in the French Quarter area. On Friday the suspect was condemned to three years behind bars. The first suspect is already serving time in Basseterre since he had cooperated with the investigation.

BASSETTERRE----The Guyana Government has appointed a former Guyana Defence Force Senior Non-Commission Officer Stanford Conway as the Honorary Council to the Federation of St. Kitts /Nevis. Conway who is also a graduate of the University of Guyana was working as the Bureau Chief of the St. Kitts Nevis Observer and left to attend a conference in Guyana and was surprised when it was announced that he was appointed as the Honorary Council to the twin island Federation.
Conway, who is a journalist, has had extensive training in the Guyana Defence Force and was the Force Communications Officer when he resigned in 2004. After his resignation he was recalled to function as the head of the Communication department but later left to do a stint in education where he taught English, Social Studies and History.
Among his duties are to protect Guyanese nationals in the country of his post and render assistance to those in distress. Transmit applications of nationals for new passports and applications for birth, death and marriage to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for processing.
Conway, who is a journalist, has had extensive training in the Guyana Defence Force and was the Force Communications Officer when he resigned in 2004. After his resignation he was recalled to function as the head of the Communication department but later left to do a stint in education where he taught English, Social Studies and History.
Among his duties are to protect Guyanese nationals in the country of his post and render assistance to those in distress. Transmit applications of nationals for new passports and applications for birth, death and marriage to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for processing.

Philipsburg:--- Police are busy investigating a case of theft at the IAR garage where five scooters is reported to be stolen said police spokesman Johan Janchi Leonard.

The scooters were removed from the premises without authorization after destroying the locks on the main gate. The scooters were dragged away leaving visible signs and traces in the soft dirt road on the Pond-fill close to the "dump". In minutes after the case was reported, detectives were able to apprehend three suspects in this case by simply following the tire tracks that lead police to the culprits. One of the suspects was residing not to far from the garage.

Police is also busy investigating the case of destruction of property after it was reported that at least seven vehicles were damaged (destroyed). Apparently during the morning hours the destruction of these vehicles had occurred on the premises of the Island Government of St. Maarten. Among the damages vehicles were 5 Island Government vehicles and two private vehicles. No motives have been given to the police.

Caribbean Net News

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos: Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Governor, Gordon Wetherell, in a broadcast to the territory on Monday announced that the constitution of the TCI would be partially suspended for two years following receipt of the final Commission of Inquiry report into government corruption, which is due on or before April 30, 2009.

This is not the first time that the Constitution in the TCI was suspended. Twenty-three years ago, in 1986, Britain took similar action following a publication of the report of an earlier Commission of Inquiry into arson, corruption and related matters. That report severely criticised both the Turks and Caicos government and the opposition for alleged malpractice and criminality.
But perhaps the biggest and most controversial suspension took place in October 1953, when Britain suspended the then British Guiana constitution after the Jagan government was in office for only 133 days, claiming that the government was far too left, and that Jagan, the Premier, was an avowed communist.

The British Governor brought several battalions of British troops to maintain law and order after he suspended the constitution, but the British soldiers had little or nothing to do while they were in the then British Guiana. Everything was quiet; there was no reaction from the public. They had a good time drinking rum and having fun with local women.

Most countries in the Commonwealth criticised Britain for taking such drastic step because there was no evidence that the government was communist and it was wrong to throw out a duly elected government that had swept the polls less than five months before.

St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla had a disruption in 1971, four years after the islands gained full internal autonomy, when some leaders moved to secede Anguilla from the other two islands. Anguilla still remains a British Dependent territory while St Kitts and Nevis gained independence and is now known as the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.

The TCI Governor in his broadcast did not give many details, but he indicated that the Cabinet and House of Assembly members would be removed and that powers and functions currently exercised by Ministers would be exercised by the Governor acting in his discretion, including those in relation to public finances, legislation and necessary regulatory reforms.

The Governor added that an Advisory Council was to be established to assist him in the formulation of policy and exercise of his functions.

The Governor also indicated that the Commissioner, Sir Robin Auld, was not ready to formulate provisional findings or recommendations for the institution of a criminal investigation in relation to any individual or any interests he or she may have.

However, Governor Wetherell said, "I can confirm that consideration is being given to the establishment of a special civil recovery team, and the need to bolster the capacity of the police and to appoint a special prosecutor to undertake prosecutions which may be warranted in keeping with any evidence of criminality which may be disclosed by it (the final report)."

Meanwhile, reports from the TCI have stated that most people are pleased with the report, and they would like a special prosecutor to be appointed as soon as possible to track down those involved in corruption.

Maho: --- Education Minister Omyra Leeflang said St. Maarten should focus on making its students multi-lingual instead of wanting to spend monies on translations. The minister said despite the constitutional change when St. Maarten becomes country all administrative work will remain in Dutch and the best way to access the information is to make sure the people is proficient in the language. Leeflang said if one wants to be the owner of their own legal system then they have to be proficient in the language in which the laws are written.

Despite what she said all administrative work will remain in Dutch and for those who wants to change or translate these laws would have to spend much needed monies to do the translation. She said the island can either find the monies to do the translation or use the same monies to enforce education and or public health or build more homes. But making the people proficient can access the information at no cost. The Minister said her dream is to make sure her country is not judged by its size instead it is judged by its quality and competences of its people. "We can be small in size but big in our achievements and competences". She said one must remember that the Antilles are part of a Dutch Kingdom and while speaking more than one language should be considered a privilege it is also a "must" which means it is an important language. However, she made clear that this cannot diminish the importance of the other languages since English is just as important and Spanish which is becoming a second language in some of the Leeward Islands. She said this is also beneficial to those students who wanted to further their education in the Netherlands.

In the educational law made by Minister Leeflang it said that all students on the islands must learn at least two languages and Dutch is one of those languages. Students attending school in the Antilles must take Dutch as a subject until they are 18 years of age. The other languages are Papiamento (for the Leeward's Islands) and Spanish.
Responding to questions on why she is pushing to have more IT in schools the Minster said she is trying her best to facilitate the requirements in the educational law.

All islands of the Antilles met at the Maho Convention Center where they discussed certain topics. Discussed on the first day of the meeting is the organizing of a seminar where they would focus on technology which can be used in education especially in presenting the islands as multi-lingual community. The seminar is scheduled to take place in September 2009. She said the idea is to show that the islands are successful in being multi-lingual. Another topic discussed is to have a UNESCO chair at the University about small islands states. She said the aim for this chair is to present themselves as the expertise as the small islands development states. This she said would enable the islands to show their strength in economic development.
The Minster explained that the first day of the meeting was indeed successful and the islands participated well.

In the meantime, Marcella Henry the UNESCO representative of St. Maarten said four of the islands participated. These meetings she said are held annually which gives the islands the opportunity to discuss relevant issues. She said several delegates will be attending the seminar to discuss culture, education and science and communication and other issues.

Henry said the UNESCO representatives from all the islands also discussed the youth forum. Confirmed she said is someone from St. Maarten who would be part of the delegation that would be going to Paris in October. Also discussed is the participation which would enable the islands to receive funding from UNESCO.
The seminar that is scheduled for September will be focused on the role the media plays in education.
Henry said while all of the topics are important they also discussed the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. She said they already brought in someone from Jamaica to walk the islands through the process of requesting to be member of UNESCO when the islands become a country. The discussion she said focused on seeing if St. Maarten and Curacao would have their own associate membership as part of UNESCO. She said the BES islands were also discussed since they too would be affected.
Asked how the idea of the minister was received on introducing more technology in schools Henry said even though the seminar will be held on Curacao that deals with media she requested that a follow up seminar be held on St. Maarten where they would target teachers and policy makers with the idea.

Philipsburg:--- A mid morning fire Over the Bank has left some eight people homeless, six adults and two children. One family whose home was home did not burn down told SMN News that the fire started in one of the apartments. Both husband and wife said it seems more than likely that the origin of the fire seems to be electrical. They said that victims include the landlord who has a number of people living in his building.
The victims said they needed to find homes to rent since they are now homeless. Churches and other community minded people came to the victims rescue. Most of the families slept at the Souliga Guess House last night.

Philipsburg---Concerned residents and policy holders of ALICO Insurances are now posing serious questions as to whether they are going to remain insured or loose their benefits knowing that ALICO stems from AIG in the United States of America.
Presently AIG is in financial straits and the American government is constantly called to bail the company out of its financial dilemma. Some wondered if ALICO would go under or declare bankruptcy without notifying its policy holders. One concerned resident said its time the commissioner of economic affairs check to see if the island residents would stand to suffer. The resident said it is clear with the current trend of the AIG group in the United States will not be able to meet the financial obligations of its customers.

The man who wants to remain anonymous said it is critical, for the local government representatives address this issue and referred particularly to the Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper Molanus. The resident is calling on the Commissioner to inquire at the Central Bank about the status of the insurance company The resident contended that there is a negativeimpact of the policy holders such as Life Insurance policies, group medicals, pension plans and as a result if there is a serious cases of terminal illnesses then it will be devastating for the client. If about six clients of the Insurance company are terminally ill and they demand about five hundred thousand guilders per month one wonders how they will pay these clients.
Meanwhile, ALICO's policy is that they do not cover patients who suffer with illnesses such as HIV and AIDS so if a patient gets infected after they have had a life policy with the company it is said that the policy will be terminated. This is illegal.
According to the source it is instances such as these that government and the regulators of Insurances companies should follow up.
Another concern is that there are some policies which cannot be transferred to other companies such as life insurances, which in most cases clients purchase at an early age and if for example this policy is taken to another company when the persons are about 60 years then the premiums will be much higher and at that age will be subjected to all types of medical examinations before they are accepted by the new insurance company.
It is important for regulators and government to keep abreast of the current situation with regards to the development with particularly this insurance company and protect the residents from these types of insurance companies which could be potential danger to the country.
So far ALICO General Manager has refused to participate in interviews with the media.

...

Philipsburg:---A number of young men who have been accused of being members of the 'blue gang' have come forward to dispute what they are calling as misconceptions and untruths about them adding that the public should stop referring to them as gang members as it creates a negative view of them.

"We are no killers as what many people are peddling on the radio stations and in the newspapers. We are simple poor young men who wants to make meaningful contribution to the growth and development of the federation in which we live and the media has to be more responsible in allowing this nonsense to be peddled vi their media house," a young man who requested anominity said.

The young men had gathered o discuss economic, crime and other social ills facing their community with the President of the Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation. The invitation which was extended by the foundation as part of it Let's Talk Initiative met with the youth in a four hour meeting to iron out a number of issues while deciding on a way forward in an effort to seriously address crime.

In the very vocal meeting the youths warned callers about jumping to make allegations and other suggestions against them without first understanding the issues that they are faced with. "Some people say that we should be locked up because they (callers) say that we are a gang but what have we done to be locked up when we are merely congregating as any group, club or institution. Locking us up for very long period will not help because in the end there is more hatred, hurt and frustration," a young man passionately declared.

The young man went on to say that many of the callers are creating a negative approach of members within the society towards then noting, "we are not the ones that they need to be afraid of as we are merely young men who are trying to do positive things within our community but how can they be peace and love when we are constantly harassed, brutalized, singled out and chastised within our society," he asked.

A number of allegations were leveled against the police and other key individuals within society. Among them were constant police brutality, society's quick reaction to label misguided young men while refusing to offer them a second chance at integrating themselves within society, significant long years for crimes thus preventing any possibility for convicted persons to be rehabilitated, corruption among prisons officials and what they dubbed as politician's refusal to lend any meaningful assistance to the affected communities plight.

"You can't talk about bringing red and blue together to live in harmony when both red and blue has issues that needs to be iron out within their own communities. We must begin by firstly addressing the respective issues that we face in both communities before we can even attempt to talk about both red and bleu getting on," another young man said.

The young men expressed disappointment and disgust at what they said as been people's joy to have them incarcerated for very long time forgetting that many of them have children to feed adding that they are creating and instituting hatred in many of these young men children. "When we are incarcerated and our young children have nothing to eat and their mothers have no way to sleep or turn to they (mothers) will resort to having another man or being involved in prostitution while the children will resort to crime as a way out of poverty. A hungry man is an angry man so stop looking at the issue from one angle and look at it properly," a young man pleaded with the public.

"Many of us are seeking second chances but we are not getting any and with the media houses mainly radio stations giving the public significant airplay in creating hatred against us it will not help the situation as while the public builds hatred against us we are building with disgust and frustration over how we are being treated when we only want a second chance," he warned.

"When we go to jail in many cases we have a girlfriend, mother, sister, child and brother out there and like anyone they feel the pain and anguish that we go through at the hands of the police and prison authorities who are bent on making their life a living hell. So how can we make meaningful contr8bution to society when all people talk about on the radio is to lock us up and do this and do that, well they must understand that they are not curbing the problem they are making us into harden criminals as all the jail serves to do is to strengthen and making us stronger," a young man who was visibly upset said.

We are ready and willing to respond to any approach that is geared towards addressing the many problems that we faced with rather than deciding already that we should be excluded from society. Many of the young men criticized government's and the police action in addressing the crime situation adding that with a different approach the situation will be effectively addressed. The youth stressed that government has to begin weeding out corrupt prison and police officers if they are really serious about addressing crime,

"If the Prime Minister wants a solution to this problem let him get rid of those corrupt police and prison officials so that we (young men) can live a meaningful life as a cornered cat will only scratch back," the young man said.

The young man went on to speak about several "oppressive actions against prisoners" used as a means of breaking the prisoners. "they would continue to bang us but we will continue to be strong, there are a lot of persons who are excited to jump unto the airwaves saying that we are creating fear in society but they are the ones creating fear as while they (callers) are criticizing about this and that none had come forward to suggest what they are prepared to do so as to help. I think that many of them should really shut up as they have no knowledge of what is really going on," this is not a problem of red against bleu or blue against red it is a problem of how we are treated within society by both the public and the oppressors (police and prison officials)," another youth noted.

A young man who said that he had spent some years in prison said that upon his release he had no where to go thus being forced to seek help and assistance from his friends," when I went to jail I had an apartment but after being incarcerated I lost it and upon my release my family was so pressured by society to shun me that my brethren willingly open their hands to me to offer me a shelter and food," he said.

Accusing religious and political leaders of being ignorant about the problem he said that many religious leaders are merely talking but not doing anything. all the religious leaders are talking and telling us to come to church but no body is asking is if we have a place p rest our heads, clothes to wear and food to eat when we are released from prisons, how can we accept their offer of god getting into our lives when they are all taken up with other things in the church and merely just using we as window decoration," a young man questioned.

"The churches are failing to open their eyes to reality as many times when you confide in the pastors or senior members within the church within days the whole world is told about your life story while many of the churches do not ask those attending whether when they leave to go home if they have any thing at home to eat, they are only interested in building numbers, we are interested in survival at all cost," a young lad noted.

We are truly committed in turning our lives around but institute genuine programmes and initiatives that we can recognize that we are being afforded a second chance. Also be aware that we also can make meaningful suggestions in curbing the problem that we are faced by," the young men said that they would like an urgent private meeting with the Prime Minister so as to relay their concern in a frank private manner.

We do not want tie and suit business with lots of people telling us what we want we want the PM to come and listen to us in a frank and open way and not just show up for 30 minutes but to give us at least a solid two three hours we can tell him what I the root and contributing factors to the problem.

Another thing that had to be looked into the corrupt practices whereby a number of girlfriends are forced to sleep with prison officers so as to ensure that their boyfriends in prison has preferential treatment while in prison. Many times if the young ladies refuses to get involved with some of the police and prison officers their boyfriends are treated severely bad, this has to stop now as what they (prison officers) are doing is turning a good man into a killing machine," a young man passionately related.

Philipsburg - Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams met with the regional Director of the UNESCO office, Kwane Boafo, to discuss general matters, but also how St. Maarten can establish a commission when the constitutional developments have been attained.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, director indicated that they are willing to assist. However there are areas of development that needs to be developed, namely, in building demographic information.

Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams said that St. Maarten is taking the opportunity, since Mr. Boafa is here for the general meeting with the Netherlands Antilles and UNESCO, to discuss this issue, among others. We are exploring ways how St. Maarten and the UN office can have a closer working relationship. We would like to use the resources of the office more.

Philipsburg:---St. Maarten Carnival, this year marking its 40th anniversary, kicks off this Saturday with its first activity for the season, when 22 calypsonians go up against reigning King Beau Beau in the Calypso Elimination Finals. Organized by the Sky's the Limit Foundation in collaboration with the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF), the show starts at 8pm sharp at Celebration Palace. Admission is US$ 5.

SCDF expects a great event that will jolt the celebrations into full swing. Carnival is this year themed "Looking Splendid and Fine, for Carnival 2009" and officially runs from April 16th to May 4th 2009; the official start off event is the Opening Jump Up on April 16th. The season winds down with the traditional burning of King Momo in the Festival Village.

In between those two dates is a joyful rollercoaster ride of activities, parties and top notch musical performances, lasting no less than 19 days. Everyone is invited to join in, whether it be leaping lips first into the daytime culinary spectacle of the Festival Village, jamming along during the parades, or while enjoying one of the shows that are lined up for this season. Being the 40th anniversary of the island's premier festivity, this will be one Carnival no one will want to miss!

Federal inspectors will soon begin poring over American Airlines maintenance records, manuals and other documents as part of a lengthy review of safety at the Fort Worth-based carrier's operations.
The audit will begin next month, said American spokesman Tim Wagner. It will primarily involve a detailed review of safety data, including evaluation of maintenance and flight manuals, records and other documents, rather than inspections of airplanes, said Alison Duquesne, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
She said the agency is still putting its team of investigators together, and is still working with American officials on how to best conduct the audit.
The in-depth review comes after months of criticism of maintenance practices at the major airlines. Last year, the FAA grounded jets at American, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and others for emergency inspections after it was determined some inspections weren't properly conducted.
"We told Congress last year that we would be doing some focused audits of the major air carriers," she said. The FAA has already completed similar reviews at Dallas-based Southwest Airlines and Houston-based Continental Airlines.
The review will look at all aspects of American's operations, including flight, ground operations and maintenance.
A March 20 letter from officials with the Transport Workers Union, which represents American's mechanics, states that the audit was precipitated by three factors:
Problems the FAA unearthed last year with wiring in the wheel wells of MD-80 aircraft. The agency forced American to ground its entire fleet of MD-80s for a week to check the wiring, which resulted in more than 3,000 canceled flights.
The termination of a safety program that allowed pilots to report safety-related issues without fear of reprisal from the airline or the FAA. That program ended after American and the Allied Pilots Association failed to negotiate terms for a renewal.
An increase in safety reports issued to mechanics last year.
"I think we're well prepared (for the audit)," Wagner said. "It's an extension of what the FAA does with us every day."
At a briefing for union leaders, company officials said the audit will take six months, and could result in fines if problems are found.
American said "if the FAA finds things that fines will likely be the result, and seemed to imply that those costs would likely result in further headcount reductions," wrote Bob Owens, president of TWU Local 562, in the letter to union members. "While I certainly hope we come out of the audit well, I find this claim incredulous."
Fines are a possibility, said FAA spokeswoman Duquette, but the agency could also use a wide slate of tools to correct any problems.
Airline safety has been in the spotlight during the past year. In addition to the inspection problems at Southwest, American and other carriers last year, several high-profile incidents, such as the January landing of a U.S. Airways jet in the Hudson River, and the February crash of a Continental Express flight that killed 50 people, have some passengers increasingly worried about safety during flights.
A congressional investigation led by U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., accused FAA officials of having a "cozy relationship" with Dallas-based Southwest that led to lax safety standards.
The FAA fined Southwest a record $10.2 million last year for inspection lapses, and later lowered the full amount to $7.5 million.

Philipsburg:---Members of the Police Force of Sint Maarten Saba and St. Eustatius came out in large numbers this morning at the Maho Beach Hotel, to receive detailed information with regards to the present situation and the future of the police corps of the Windward Islands. The team day under the leadership of the Acting Chief of Police Commissioner Ademar Doran was attended by the Minister of Justice David Dick, state secretary of justice Ernie Simmons, state secretary George Pantophlet (health) the Lt. Governors of Sint Maarten, Saba and St Eustatius and representatives of the NAPB, ABVO and WICSU.

The team day was organized by the Acting Chief of Police Commissioner DORAN. It is the second time that Commissioner Doran, in this capacity, has addressed his police force. Besides dignitaries from the island of St Maarten, there were also members of the police force living on Saba and Statia present at Maho Reef. Approximately one hundred persons present were asked by the Acting Chief of Police to take an active roll in developing this police organization." Looking back a number of years ago, we noticed that we were not prepared for the constant new changes taken place" Doran Said, who for quite some time has been a member of the K.PS.S.S. Just as in society as in the police force there have seen several new developments, which had a paralyzing effect on the force. Some members lost vision and some lost trust. The result of this was the lack of team spirit en drive. This has a lot to do with the lack of proper communication, according to commissioner Doran. With this team day, the management team consisting also of the interim coach Ronald Dongor and head of operations Lourdes Books-Lake are hoping to bring changes. Commissioner Doran invited the minister of justice along with other employees of that department to give presentations with regards to projects that have been executed for the last two years on behalf of the KPSSS. Madeleine Scharbaai. project leader of the Human Resource Management and Human Resource Management en-lighted those present, automated Personnel Information System, "People Time".

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, would like to congratulate the board and staff of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry which marked its 30th anniversary on March 12.
Commissioner Buncamper also expresses her appreciation for the founding members namely, the late Vance James Jr., Charles Vlaun, Pieter Kanaar, and Edward Buncamper, and those who are still alive, Joseph Lake Jr., Franklin Brison, Louis Peters, Roy Solomon and Francis Carty.
Buncamper also welcomes the announcement by the current President Glen Carty that the Chamber will be expanding its offices to the ground floor of the current building; is in the process of restructuring and automating its services to facilitate businesses and investors with information online.
"I would like to commend the founding fathers of the Chamber of Commerce, many of them no longer with us today, but they would be proud of what has been accomplished during the past 30-years by the various presidents, boards and the staff that manage the office on a daily basis.
"Today, our island nation is challenged by the most serious economic-financial crisis that the world has known since the 1930s. The Chamber and the Island Government are working diligently with all stakeholders to see us through these difficult times. This working relationship culminated into the Economic Summit on March 5 and now a Task Force will be tasked with developing a workable plan of action to be presented within 30-days.
"To date our island nation has not felt the full effect of the global crisis. We must work enthusiastically together in order to soften the any adverse impact, and position our island nation to take advantage of any new opportunities. The St. Maarten business community has an important role to play by working closely with the Chamber and government in these times of adversity," Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Philipsburg- Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams would like to congratulate the Sint Maarten Dominican community on their country's 165th year of independence as a sovereign state.

"It's been more than a century and half since the Dominican Republic became a sovereign nation state. At this same time we must celebrate the contributions made by the Sint Maarten Dominican community to the socio-economic development of our island nation.

"I take this opportunity to call on all to continue making a positive contribution to our nation's national development. Members of all communities that have made Sint Maarten their home must continue to work along with us in building the Sint Maarten nation.

"We still have a long way to go, but with all on Sint Maarten working together for Sint Maarten, we too can continue to achieve great things.

"Congratulations to the Sint Maarten Dominican community on your independence and long live the people of Sint Maarten and the Dominican Republic," Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Philipsburg: --- The island council of St. Maarten debated the consensus Kingdom law on Maritime border during a special island council meeting yesterday. The two Kingdom laws will be dealt with by the sub-council today. Leader of Government Sarah Wescot Williams said that even though highlighted and discussed the Historical Fishing rights were discussed but it was not in the draft. She said the government of St. Maarten are concerned and wants to see a reference in the draft which covers Curacao and Bonaire as well as St. Maarten and Bonaire. She said amendments were made to have the fishing rights or the historical fishing rights be mentioned.

Councilman Rodlophe Samuel said that his faction is concerned as to what may happen to St. Maarten rights after the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. He said information is now surfacing that suggests that there is oil and gas under the surface of Curacao and Bonaire. In responding Wescot Williams said that whatever mineral is known will be divided but what is not known will become the property of where it is located. Samuel also wants to know how St. Maarten would deal with cabling when that time comes. Wescot Williams said there will be discussions on that when it comes.
After all explanations the Kingdom Law on Maritime was unanimously being approved.

Kingdom Law on adjustments on existing Kingdom Law, Wescot Williams said this law would deal with adjustments for at least 34 existing Kingdom Laws. This would deal with the existence of the BES islands and the creation of two new countries. She said the premise has to be extended to include country St. Maarten.
The changes she said will affect several ministries which include the passport law and pension law, the law on citizenship, publication of treaties are also a few of the Kingdom laws that will be affected.

Philipsburg- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies (SHGC), would hereby like to extend his condolences on behalf of the Supervisory Board and Management of SHGC to the family of John Philip Frederick Craane Sr., effectively known as "Boechie," who passed away on Saturday.
The cruise terminal building at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility was dedicated to him after his years of service working in the maritime sector.
"He will be greatly missed as he was a man who dedicated himself to the maritime sector until he retired. The supervisory board and management deeply regret the passing of "Boechie" and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends," SHGC CEO Mark Mingo said on Tuesday.
"Boechie" spent most of his life working on and around boats. His love of boats was influenced by his father who was a well known boat builder on Bonaire.
As a young boy he worked with his father helping him build boats after school. As a young man he captained several of the boats that his father had built including the Endeavour and the Rainbow.
"Boechie" in 1954 was hired by the Federal Government and remained employed until an accident forced him to retire in 1987 at the age of 74.
For the 33-years he worked for the Government, he captained several boats such as the Blue Peter, MV Antilia and MV Hertha. In 1963 he became a pilot at the A.C. Wathey Pier and served in that position until 1978 when he was promoted to Harbour Master of St. Maarten and remained in that position until he retired.

Airport:---As the global economic crisis continues to take a significant toll on a number of businesses in and around the region, WINAIR airlines has announced that they will be cutting some of their routes resulting in job cuts. This announcement was made by Managing Director, Edwin Hodge who said that the airline cannot maintain some routes as it was creating more challenges for the company. The routes that will come under fire are Dominica, Tortola, St Kitts and Nevis. The St. Maarten Antigua route will be reduced to a weekly flight.

Hodge said that Dominica was stopped effective March 1 while the other routes will come to an end on March 29th. He pointed out that in the process some 14 (14) jobs will go noting that it all forms part of his company's attempt to reshape and strengthen as they face the effects of the global economic downturn like other companies. "We will only cut about 14 or so jobs as cutting the routes will mean that some persons will loose their jobs among them being pilots and other departments," Hodge said. WINAIR disclosed that the pilots and the two additional employees are the first set of job losses.

He noted that all attempts at saving those routes are being made pointing out that in he is presently negotiating with Dominica, Tortola, Nevis and St. Kitts. Provided that no agreement is reached between the parties then WINAIR shall refrain from operating scheduled flights to those countries.

The announcement of WINAIR's cutting routes and job cuts is the latest airline to have made this disclosure after Air Jamaica announced early this year that they were going to cut 600 jobs while LIAT Airline while not announcing how many jobs were going to be cut noted that they were reducing flights out of four of its destinations; Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and St Kitts and Nevis as a result of decreased demand.

Hodge said that like an airline WINAIR has to make appropriate decisions if the airline is going to remain alive noting that the global and financial crisis has affected almost every aspect of the tourism and business sector. "Like any other company we would have to make some firm and serous decisions because we have a service to provide and as such we need to continue providing that service effectively and efficiently."

"Cutting the routes will ultimately result in cutting of jobs as WINAIR no longer can keep jobs that are no longer essential and needed for the company," he said. Hodge however gave the assurance that his company would adjust its schedule as time goes by base on the general charges in travel behavior.

Quizzed on some of the contributing factors to his company's decision, Hodge stated that the other flights have been doing well while pointing out that the routes that are being cut has not been doing well for quite some time. He added that WINAIR adjusted those flights some months ago trying to save them, however this has proven futile. and now the firm approach was taken to request the governments to assist in keeping these routes..
Hodge assured that the process of adjustments will continue despite the many challenges that face the airline. "Cutting routes is never an easy thing and more so cutting jobs is certainly difficult but we have to make tough decisions in tough times." Hodge also stated that not only cutting of routes are in gear, but Hodge and his team are also slashing other costs in the company.

"As the region tries to adjust to the global economic impact we will certainly attempt to add capacity where there is a need and reduce capacity where we see there is no need for." he said. Hodge also noted that his airline will be ensuring that adequate and sufficient flights are put in place to handle the Easter travel demands to and from the Islands that remains in the WINAIR's network.

Philipsburg:--Governor General Frits Goedgedrag and Prime Minister Emile de Jongh-Elhage met with the Executive Council and Island Council yesterday morning at the Government Administration Building to discuss the Constitutional developments, Immigration, Census, Justice, and Crime issues on St. Maarten.

The Lt. Governor Franklin Richards opened the meeting and welcomed everyone, saying that it was a pleasure to have both the Governor General and the Prime Minister both at once in the same meeting.

The Governor General responded in kind and the meeting was convened with discussions about the agenda points. He also wanted to talk about the effects of the world economic and financial crisis and how St. Maarten was dealing with the slower growth.

The Prime Minister asked about the constitutional developments and how her office may assist. De Jongh-Elhage said that the constitutional development is something that has to get done and according to scheduled plans, for both St. Maarten and Curacao are looking to one day flag both flags as constitutionally different entities, than currently.

Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams responded that before the crisis government initiated the new labor policy. And the banks, due to the conservative nature and restrictions on banks, are doing rather well, considering what is going on in the world.

There are continued efforts as well on the constitutional area, Commissioner Wescot-Williams said, whereby work, reports, and policies, among other items, are put in place for the new country St. Maarten. However, there are some issues that must be dealt with on the federal level, so as to continue the constitutional process. The commissioner reiterated and impressed upon the Prime Minister to further press the ministries to continually work towards solving restrictions within the constitutional developments.

Every future ministry, Commissioner Wescot-Williams said has a workgroup and when needed consultants from KPMG assist in the matter. For the most part, however, St. Maarten and the Federal Government are working closely together to get the work completed and to attain the new constitutional status.

Prime Minister de Jongh-Elhage agreed and said that she will look into the matter concerning certain ministries. We have to work together she said.

Commissioner Wescot-Williams said that she will brief the Prime Minister at a later time where every ministry is concerned, and asked for a meeting between the Executive Council and her cabinet.

About the world economic and financial situation, Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus answered that St. Maarten has not escaped the situation. There is slowed growth and there has been some layoffs, some of which may not be attributed to the world economic crisis, but nevertheless, that the island government is keeping a keen eye on the developments, and have taken-In relation to the crisis-much measures: from immediate marketing funds to promote the island in specific niche markets to looking into ways of diversifying the economic market to agreements with the labor unions.

There is also the summit, Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus said, out of which it has been emphasized, realistic recommendations, should result. There is also the constant controlling of food prices.

Though St. Maarten's economy is mainly tourism and time share based, the numbers have not dropped significantly, though as is expected, the spending amounts have declined. But we are optimistic that though there is a slowed growth, there is still growth. We are fortunate, Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus said.

After discussing the agenda points with the Executive Council, the delegation met in another meeting with the rest of the Island Council members: Rodolphe Samuel, Patrick Illidge and Hyacinth Richardson; others were excused due to previous commitments or being off island.

Present at both meetings were Commissioners: Sarah Wescot-Williams, Theo Heyliger, and Maria Buncamper-Molanus.

Marigot: --- Workers from the COM was invited to a general meeting last night at the Chamber of Commerce Building. The workers were invited by fax on Thursday telling them that the meeting will be held with the General Secretary of the UACL/CGTC Mr. Jean Marie Brissac. Brissac who was supposed to visit St. Martin since the beginning of February was held back due to the prolonged strike in Guadeloupe.
This meeting is supposed to be a follow up meeting from the protest action that was taken on January 19 2009. During that action the workers were not satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations held between their local union representatives Serge Wienum. It is said the workers demanded that action be taken against the hiring of foreigners who are paid far more than the local workers who have been in the civil service for more than 10 years.
Sources say that less than 25 of the workers turned out to the meeting since they were horribly dissatisfied with the outcome of the first action. It is understood that the general secretary took blame for the delay saying that he could not make it earlier to St. Martin.
Brissac explained that the most important aspect of the job was finished since the COM began evaluating the employees which will be updating their files. It is said that after the evaluation process employees will be paid according to their level. Brissac said the COM would also issue an arête when the evaluation is completed.
SMN News plans to follow the development of the union and will bring it to you when it becomes available.

POINTE-A-PITRE, Guadeloupe (AFP) - Businesses began to reopen on Thursday in Guadeloupe after a general strike that had paralysed the French Caribbean island for 44 days ended with a promise of pay rises.

The end of the first major revolt in France since the start of the economic crisis was a relief for President Nicolas Sarkozy's government, which still faces a strike on neighbouring Martinique and tensions on the mainland.

"Today, our struggle has paid off," said Elie Domota, leader of the Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon (LKP - League Against Profiteering), which led Guadeloupe's mainly black majority against mainly white business leaders.

"We must remain mobilised and continue to fight," he declared late Wednesday to a crowd of supporters gathered outside the French state's headquarters on the island to see an agreement signed.

The six-week struggle, which saw one activist shot dead by protesters and hundreds of extra police deployed from mainland France, ended with a detailed 165-point deal on measures to improve living standards on the island.

While legally a full part of France and the European Union, Guadeloupe is one of the poorest corners of the national territory with 23 percent unemployment, more than twice the mainland rate, and a high cost of living.

The strikers accuse a ruling class of "Bekes", white descendants of colonial plantation owners, of exploiting monopoly positions in retail and construction in order to maintain high prices and a privileged lifestyle.

Private sector bosses deny profiteering, and have warned that the LKP's wage demands will simply push up unemployment in a region already heavily dependent on state subsidies and public sector jobs.

Under Wednesday's accord, Guadeloupe's workers will receive an extra 200 euros per month in their wage packets, partly paid for by the state and partly by their employers, to compensate for high prices.

"It's an important moment," said Nicolas Desforges, the prefect or state representative on the island. "We've come out on top with a 17-page document which represents an important programme.

"I think that tonight should give Guadeloupe a new start. We need to get back to work from tomorrow, pull out the stops, make up for lost time."

The employers' association MEDEF, which represents several of the islands largest businesses, has refused to sign the deal, but Domota insisted that most firms had agreed to finance their share of the increase.

The strike leader told Europe 1 radio that the accord would cover between 30,000 and 40,000 wage earners -- among a population of around 450,000 -- and that strikes would continue in any businesses that hold out.

Meanwhile, on the nearby island of Martinique, a similar strike entered its second month Thursday. Businesses remained closed and economic activity was paralysed by road blocks thrown up by protesters.

And 12,000 kilometres (7,500 miles) away on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, trade unions have called for another strike to start. In mainland France, labour leaders have called for a one-day stoppage on March 19.

 

...

Philipsburg:--- Minister of Justice David Dick who is on the island confirmed that his 2006 Immigration policy was never fully implemented. He said part of the policy could not be implemented due to the lack of proper technology. The Minister said he welcomes the support given by the island leader on his policy and promised to meet with her to further discuss the policy and its implementation.
One of the goals of this policy is to fully deal with the amount of illegal immigrants on St. Maarten. Minister Dick said that the grace period of 2000 and 2002 did not fully solve the problem since most of the people who were legalized during the grace period is now living on the island illegally again even though they are gainfully employed. He said due to the fact the proper technology and materials were not in place they could not have dealt with the immigration issues differently. He said he is grateful for the support of the leader of government who plans to meet with him to discuss the integration of labor, immigration and education. He said when he took office he got a justice chain that looks more like Flintstones. Dick said when he took office he did not know the exact state of affairs of the justice chain, thus he has to work much harder to accomplish what is needed to improve justice in the Antilles. He said the justice system was not in line with the 21st century and he had to slowly build the system, making sure all that is necessary are in place. Already there is lot of work done on IT, technical and human resources.

The Minister also acknowledged there are some problems with the passport system at the Princess Juliana International Airport. He said he personally requested to see how the system functions and he saw some glitches. "Indeed the system is slower than that of Curacao by a few seconds" But he said he cannot say what is the cause, which can vary from the memory to the amount of bytes available on St. Maarten.
He said he would be calling on the technicians to look into the matter and see what exactly the problem is since this system is working perfectly in Curacao and Bonaire even though the server is in Curacao. He said even though he has some ideas on the matter but does not intend to guess on what the problem could be, the only way to go is to solve this problem by repairing the system which is considered to a very good system to regulate immigration.
The Minister said they are doing their best to combat crime which is hindering the economic development. However, he felt crime is not a problem for the justice department alone. He said the immigration system at the Airport is a good start since they are able to document all those persons who are entering and leaving St. Maarten. He said he fully supports the views of the executive council who said if crime is not contained then it would be useless to create economic stimulus to boost the economy.

Philipsburg- Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams will be a member of a panel discussion at the 5th Economic Vision for Curacao Seminar "The New Economy," on Thursday at 6.00pm in Willemstad.
The Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics of the University of the Netherlands Antilles in collaboration with the Curacao Department of Economic Affairs have organized the seminar with the objective of developing a clear view and vision for the future of Curacao.
The key note speech will be given by Curacao's Commissioner of Economic Affairs E. Rhuggenaath.
Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams will be one of two panel presenters where she will discuss the Development Plan of St. Maarten.
Barbados Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry & Commerce D. Estwick, will present the National Strategic Plan of Barbados 2005 - 2025.
Commissioner Wescot-Williams told (GIS) that she felt honored being asked by the organizers to present St. Maarten's development plan.
The seminar is being co-sponsored by the Curacao Tourist Board (CTB) and Curacao Hospitality & Tourism Association (CHATA).

POINTE BLANCHE:--- A delegation headed by Commissioner of Port Affairs Theo Heyliger, will be leaving the island on Friday for Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami Conference.

The conference that kicks off on March 16 and runs through March 19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center will cover the state of the cruise industry with a focus on current global economic challenges and how this is impacting the industry.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies says that the Port of St. Maarten is very interested in learning how the cruise industry is dealing with the global financial-economic crisis.

"We would like to know how the impact is affecting our cruise partners and we will also discuss how the global challenge is impacting the business at the harbour. As a port, we also have to look at new avenues for revenue increasing business.

"Even though this is a major challenge unheard of since the 1930s, the harbour will continue to market the island as a cruise destination. All businesses have to adjust, but must maintain focus and look forward with confidence as the world economy will make a comeback.

"The various representatives of the harbour which also includes Supervisory Board Chairman Michel Soons, will be updating the cruise industry about the progress being made with our expansion project and the start of new projects such as the Downtown Jetty," stated CEO Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies on Wednesday.

Mingo adds that he is very pleased to learn that the two biggest cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) have reported strong cruise bookings.

Carnival Cruise Line reported that for the one-week period ended march 1, 2009, the company reported the highest number of net weekly bookings in its history. Additionally, on a cumulative basis since mid-January, net bookings are up 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2008, although pricing is at lower levels.

RCCL has reported booking levels up by 40 per cent year-on-year during the January-February ‘Wave' peak booking period. This has been based on keen pricing, added value offers and high profile advertising.

RCCL has also noticed that there has been no noticeable shift towards late booking or any increased trend in cancellations due to the global recession.

Pointe Blanche:---- Several police patrols and detectives were directed to a home located on the Ground Dove road in Point Blanch yesterday morning after police had received several phone calls informing them that at least one shot was heard coming from the house where a fight was going on between a couple that lives at that residence.
On the scene the patrols encountered the couple with initials J.R. and O.B. who stated that an argument between them had broken out, which shortly after turned into a physical fight.
They patrols also noticed that the both parties had bumps and bruises to their bodies. During the questioning of the couple on the scene police could not be determined who fired the shot and why.
In connection with this investigation both parties were arrested on the spot. A thorough search of the premises, done by the police patrol lead to the finding of a 12 gauge shot gun, a box of shotgun cartridges and two pistols. These weapons were all confiscated in connection with the investigation. The Forensic Department was on the scene to do their investigation. During the investigation several documents were found indicating that one or both of these suspects have been busy falsifying documents. The documents were also confiscated and handed over to the fraud department. Both parties were taken to the police station and held for further investigation.

Philipsburg: --- Police managed to arrest a 24 year old Haitian man identified as L.S who threatened another man on Saturday evening in a Chinese restaurant in Well Road Cole Bay. According to Police Spokesman Johan Janchi Leonard identified the victim as C.L 33 years old. Leonard said about 10pm the suspect entered the restaurant with a loaded shot gun and threatened C.L. The police spokesman said police responded in record time and they managed to apprehend the suspect who was trying to escape the long arms of the law. Leonard said the suspect tried to get rid of the loaded fire arm during a short foot chase but police manage to retrieve the gun which was handed over to the detective department. The investigation is ongoing as the suspect remains behind bars.

Police are investigating two separate cases of ill-treatment. On Sunday, at about 1.15 am, a 19-year-old woman, reported to the police to have been beaten by her former boyfriend. The man came to her home in Cole Bay, and began ill-treating the woman and took away her mobile.
While he was beating the young woman she began to scream out. A "Van" with six un-known male occupants, who was passing by, apparently heard the commotion, stopped their vehicle, stepped out and intervened by properly beating up the abusive "ex". Later, that same morning, the young lady reported the incident with visible facial injuries and other injuries to her upper body. At about 2.45 am, detectives arrested the abusive former boy friend.

Cole Bay: --- The attorney representing the defense in the Angel Marlin killing requested a reconstruction of the scene which was conducted yesterday in the presence of the suspect and a witness for the prosecution. Also present at the scene was the judge, court recorder and the prosecution.
The events of the gruesome killing were reenacted since the suspect AUSULA NESSA EDWARD is claiming self defense. So far there has been no date set for the court case confirmed Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein. The killing occurred on Wednesday January 7 2009.

Philipsburg: --- Education Minister Omyra Leeflang in rebuttal statements while responding to questions posed to her said St. Maarten has access to Naf.20 million which is at USONA and this money can be used to build schools. Leeflang is on St. Maarten to participate in the UNESCO meetings. In a brief meeting with the media she said she checked with USONA prior to coming here and she was told by USONA that St. Maarten still has Naf.20 million. She further explained that even though she is the Minister of Education she had problems acquiring the information since she already signed off the monies to the islands. "I checked before I came here and St. Maarten has one project to the value of Naf. 600,000. I need to know when St. Maarten would use this money since it would be there from 2009 to 2012. She said if St. Maarten wants to use these monies they need to come up with humongous projects or massive programs." She further explained that is why she said St. Maarten need to build schools, since it is only by building schools since it is the only way for them to use up these monies.
The Minister said with additional schools children would have a place where they can be educated.
Leeflang said she went as far as telling St. Maarten she is ready to grant teachers temporary permits to be in the classrooms, since they already said if they have more schools there would not be sufficient teachers. "I am willing to issue temporary permits to teachers that have a certain level of education. These teachers she said can even get training courses which would bring them up to par with the education system of the Antilles." The Minister said if there are sufficient schools and teachers then compulsory education can be implemented. She said when this done the island would have a dual economic and educational achievement. Additionally the island can attack its economical crisis by having a construction boom by building schools.

The Minister said she signed an agreement at the beginning of 2008 where she handed over all the monies she got from Holland for education to the islands. St. Maarten she said was a signatory to that agreement and they have access to Naf.20 million. Leeflang said the central government has right to 10% of that money but she did not keep any of the monies since she wanted the islands to get this money to further strengthen education. The Minister said the only thing she made clear when the agreement was signed in 2008 that there were going to be laws in place that must be respected by all the islands. Leeflang said the reason behind putting these laws in place was to make sure everyone offers the same quality of education in all schools of the Netherlands Antilles. She also indicated that all the laws on education are ready and she would be presenting one of those laws next week when she attends the parliamentary meetings.

She said her Ministry no longer has access to these monies since she gave it to the islands. "If I had the monies or had access to it I would have done what had to be done for St. Maarten. Leeflang explained when the Central government gave away their authorities the only thing they can do is monitor the islands. "In the past the Education program had belonged to the Central government. However, in light of the constitutional reform a decision was taken to hand over some powers to the islands in an effort to prepare them to own their budget."
Leeflang said one of the reforms that were highly criticized is the FBE (Foundation Base Education). She said her Ministry amended this program by taking out the problematic areas and it will be presented again next week.
Asked if there is a lack of communication since the Commissioner of Education and the Minister is releasing different information. Leeflang said that is exactly a problem, and she intends to meet with Commissioner Wescot Williams next week. She said she could not meet with the commissioner on this trip since she is the chairperson for the UNESCO meetings.

Simpson Bay: --- Members of the Wathey family and the Democratic Party was thrown into mourning early this morning (around 7am) when Syndey Wathey passed away. Sydy as he is well known in the community died from cancer. Just two days ago Syndey told this reporter that he needed to seek medical attention since he was attacked for the second time with cancer. He had said doctors told him that both his lungs had cancer. He was scheduled to leave the island on Saturday (tomorrow) for Curacao to begin Chemotherapy. Sydney had cancer in his throat a few years ago which he overcame.
It is said he got up early this morning to take his bath when he took in and eventually passed away.
Sydney Wathey a man of the community would make it his duty to meet with local St. Maarteners to discuss the future and present state of St. Maarten. This was a tasked given to him by his late father the late Dr. Claude Wathey.
Syndey Wathey is the second son and third child of late Dr. Claude Wathey.

"To make available quality psychiatric care, based on agreed budgets and tariffs, by providing guidance and therapy to individuals and groups. The foundation will also attempt to prevent acute and unsafe situations for patients and families by recommending alternative lifestyles to individuals and families and monitoring their progress."

Recommending lifestyles that prevent stress and stress related problems is a primary task of the MHF therefore the team has committed itself to participate in the Health Fair. This initiative of the Lions helps health care organizations to create a better understanding of what the different health care services are all about and for the organizations to better understand the needs ad whishes of the population in general.

The Mental Health Team will be at the fair with information material on;
• The causes of Mental Problems
• Methods to avoid mental problems
• How mental problems are treated
• Patient and family support methods in coping with mental problems.

‘Interpreting your profile' tests
Today's lifestyles cause lots of stress, because of the growing expectations of the community in general therefore knowing what type of person you are; ‘interpreting your profile' tests will be made available. Advice will be given on matters such as how to have good relationships considering the type of person you are.

Signs of a beginning depression are often not recognized by the person him/herself or by the surroundings. Tests on how to recognize this will also be available including advice on what to do about your feelings. Timely recognition of mental problems can, in the long run avoid serious problems.

We hope to be able to make it a fun day for you, the tests are a fun way to get to know yourself and self help tools are a great asset to help you function well.

The day care
The day care clients and staff will have on display the candles and soap production, they will also inform you of their daily activities.

Philipsburg: -- A sizeable crowd mostly teachers attended the meeting held at the University of St. Maarten where Education Minister Omayra Leeflang presented the law on the Foundation Based Education. Leeflang made clear that there was amendments to the law which she described as an air of change in the education system.
The law she said is now based on three basic steps which would increase the balance teaching skills. The first basic skill is the relationship between teachers and students, while she said there may be a curriculum without methods allow teachers to get lost in the system. Secondly teachers must be able to bridge the gap between the beginning and ending in education. Teachers must be given freedom on their teaching methods since they are professionals in their career. While the third concept deals with teachers as professionals and schools as professional organizations and others institutions as facilitators and not dictators in education. She said the time has come for professionals to be allowed to complete their duties and those hindering the process must be held accountable for what they are doing.
Leeflang said while politicians have a lot of desires they must have the willpower to make their dreams happen and the monies to pay the cost of these dreams. She said in all of this management had to make though choices. The minister downplayed her critics who said she came on board to make changes without reason. She gave ten reasons for the changes which she said is exactly like the Ten Commandments which she said she used to base her decision on the laws on education. The law she said outline those that are responsible for the mishap on education.
Luutson de Vries the Legal Adviser to the Central Government Department of Education in his presentation said education reform was introduced in the Antilles mostly in high schools. De Vries gave an outline on the concept and introduction of FBE mostly the legal and technical concept of the law.

Philipsburg: --- A pair of Bush Dogs that are normally found in Central and South America arrived at the St. Maarten Zoo. Bush Dogs are stocky and terrier-like with short legs and a short tail. Numbers of Bush Dogs in the wild are decreasing as settlements progress and forests are being cleared.

The Bush Dogs in the Zoo have arrived from the Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes in Paris France. Both dogs that are at the zoon are females and were born in June 2007. Bush Dogs usually live approximately 10 years in captivity. The St. Maarten Zoo cooperates with many other zoos around the world, which is why these animals came from France.
Many of today's zoos engage in active breeding programs and attempt to reintroduce various species back into the wild. This is an important function of today's zoos.
The new Bush Dog females have adapted well to St. Maarten and their new surroundings.

Marigot: --- Members of Parliamentary Tripartite delegation visited the Territorial Council yesterday where they held a meeting that lasted about two and half hours. It is understood that the members from Aruba and Suriname posed several questions on the constitutional process on the French side. French St. Martin received their new status on July 15 2007; Last year the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles visited the French side where they exchanged information on the constitutional process. President of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles Pedro Attacho said he made the second visit in the interest of Aruba and Suriname as well these meetings would further strengthen the relationship between the two sides.

Philipsburg- As a prelude to the upcoming State of the Economy address scheduled for May 14, 2009, Commissioner of Economic Affairs Mrs. Maria Buncamper-Molanus will give a presentation on the current state of the economy.

The presentation will be aired on Wednesday March 25th, 2009 on GIS Programming, SXM Cable TV Channel 15, at 7:00pm and repeated on Thursday, March 26, 2009, on GIS programming, Cable TV Channel 15 at 6:00pm

Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus' address will focus on how the economy is performing thus far, including looking at inflation and other economic indicators.

Furthermore, the commissioner discusses government's plans to mitigate the effects of the global economic slowdown as well as the measures to stimulate the economy.

This presentation will be followed by a State of the Economy address, where special guest speaker for the evening, Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz will give a presentation on "The Development of the International Financial Service Sector on Sint Maarten." Time and date will be announced at a later date.

Philipsburg: ---- Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday remains a disappointed man yesterday when he was given the verdict of the appeals court. The court considered proven that the top cop did falsify a number of re-entry permits while he was also found guilty of fraud by falsely collecting rental allowances for his home.

Holiday was sentenced to one year conditional prison term, and one hundred and eighty hours of community service including a three-year ban from the police force. Holiday was also placed on a-two year probation.
Yesterday's verdict can be considered harsher than the verdict of the Court of First Instance since the trial judge in the Court of First Instance had sentenced Holiday to a 4-month suspended sentence with three years probation and a $5,500 fine.

During the trial on March 4th Holiday cited that there was conspiracy with his arrest and prosecution. He had said the Minister of Justice acted in conspiracy when he removed him from his office just days before he was arrested and a major search was conducted at his home and office. The former top cop said that arresting and prosecuting him is a means to show St. Maarten was not ready for its country status since the Dutch has to prove the local police force was corrupt.

During the hearing of his appeal Holiday looked confident he was quizzed severely on the re-entry permits that bore his signature. Holiday told the three-panel judges he had the power to sign the documents since he was the Chief Commissioner of Police, he also made clear no one paid him for these documents instead he did so for humanitarian purposes.
The court ruled that the defendant (Holiday) violated the integrity of the Police Force and government policy while he held a position to defend the integrity of government.
As for the house rent allowances he said the Lt. Governor had told him if he repaid the monies he collected under false pretence then he would not have been prosecuted. Holiday said he already paid back those monies that he falsely collected for his own financial gain.

PHILIPSBURG-GEBE launched its new website yesterday as part of the company's vision to improve service and operate in a more customer-oriented manner. GEBE Managing Director, William Brooks, was on hand to officially unveil the new site and demonstrate its functionalities to the media.
The new interactive website aims to make GEBE customer services accessible 24 hours a day. "We know traffic and parking is an issue, so we aim to minimize the number of times customers have to physically come into the GEBE office."
NVGEBE.com consists of several sections including a Customer Center, Storm & Safety, Environment, Community and About GEBE.
The Customer Center has all the information on how to open and close accounts, answers questions on billing and payment methods, offers payment online through the local banks, and has a section on frequently asked questions that can help solve minor problems right away.
The contact section directs customer enquiries to the correct department so customers no longer have to figure out who the right person is to speak to about their problem. "You can report a water or electricity problem, request information, sign up for E-Billing, all in one spot any time of day or night."
There is an entire section dedicated towards educating our customers on the environment, from conservation tips to alternative energies that are being used around the world. We have a safety and storm section focused on protecting your home and your family in the event of an emergency, hurricane or everyday situations in your home.
The website was designed internally and has been a collaborative effort from the GEBE ICT department headed by Gerard Ooms and project manager Tyron Jones, the communication and commercial departments, with contributions from everyone in the company.
"This website is a work in progress. Right now its purpose is mainly informative and geared towards quicker customer transactions with GEBE. The next phase will be even more interactive allowing clients to access their GEBE accounts and see their current and historic bills online. We will continue to add features as the year progresses," Brooks continued, "Our customers can look forward to even more services that make life easier. Utilities are a basic necessity for our customers, so we would like to make dealing with GEBE as simple, easy and quick as possible.

Philipsburg: -- The much talked about Franco/Dutch Treaty is technically on hold since the work groups that are working for the two sides of the island have to be put together. So far that has not take place confirmed Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards in a telephone interview with SMN News.
Richards said this group when put together has to issue a set of advice on so called risk flights to the steering committee that would have to implement the changes.
He said it is expected that the two sides will meet in April to further discuss the implementation process.
SMN News also understands that there are some mixed feelings regarding the visa implementation. One of the greatest concerns is the requirement of visas for in-transit passengers. SMN News understands that Acting Chief Commissioner of Police is in favor of the visa implementation since this would help the island track the movement of people visiting and or passing through St. Maarten. Asked about his concerns at yesterday's press conference he said he did not issue an advice on the matter. He said the police and Foreign Affairs will meet where they would offer advice on the implementation process. Doran said he met with the Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards on Friday where they began the discussions.

Richards also said that during that meeting it was decided that Foreign Affairs offer some training courses on the process.
The Franco Dutch treaty was to be implemented by April this year Richards had announced earlier this year, while the leader of government gave some serious advice to the French and Dutch sides. She had said she hoped St. Maarten does not have to cut their noses to spoil their faces. The island leader also warned that implementing this treaty now may create concern for the influx of people visiting St. Maarten she felt serious consideration must be taken during the economic crisis that is hitting all parts of the world.

Saba: --- The members of the Zero Tolerance team, the Customs department and members of the Marechau ssee arrested two men on Saba during a routine drug control on that island. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson in a press release identified the suspects as M.K.L and K.R.V. He said the arrest was made after the officers received several tips. The duo was arrested on Friday evening in the Bottom in area known as Under the Hill.
Both men were arrested at their home after a "search warrant" to search the premises was served. During this search a small plastic bag containing an amount of cocaine was found hidden in a PVC-pipe located at the rear of their home.
Also a "backpack" containing several plastic bags in which a considerable amount marijuana and a weighing scale were located hidden on the premises. During a search of the suspects a considerable amount of cash was found, for which they suspects could not give an acceptable answer to where the money came from.
All items and cash were confiscated for further investigation. Both suspects have put into custody pending further investigation. The development of this investigation shows that there are drugs circulating on the island of Saba and that more arrests are to be expected. The police are asking the general public to assist them in providing information that could more light on this investigation.

Philipsburg/French Quarter: --- Police on the Dutch side of the island managed to apprehend two young men who robbed a supermarket in Belle Plaine French Quarter on Friday midday. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the two men was captured at the Yuppie gas Station after persons within the community alerted police that the two culprits who were driving a s Hyundai Sonata with license plate P-2526 was at the service station. Henson said shortly after the robbery the culprits who have been identified as R.F.M from St. Maarten and G.J.L Dominica was found to have in their position handguns and other items when they committed the crime.

Henson said the Dutch side police was immediately informed of the incident when the two men drive the getaway car to the Dutch side of the island. He said several police patrols were dispatched in search of the vehicle and the suspects whose description was given to them. In the car he said police found an alarm pistol, blank shots (for the alarm pistol) a large butcher's knife, some cash and other items linking the suspects to the crime scene. All items were confiscated for further investigation. The suspect G.J.L. had no objections and freely accompanied the Gendarmes to the French side to give his statement. R.F.M. refused to go with the Gendarmes and he remains in custody on the Dutch side for further investigation. Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said the duo had appeared before the judge of instruction where their pre-trial detention was prolonged.

In another case of robbery the police are asking members of the public to come forward if they have information on the suspect who stabbed an American Tourist during an Armed Robbery on the Board Walk. Henson said this incident occurred also on Friday during the evening hours in close proximity of the Green House.
The police spokesman said a lone robber attacked the American couple as they were walking towards Green House. The victims have been identified as J.A.F and J.P.F from the United States. They described their attacker as a Blackman who was armed with a knife. The male victim tried to defend his wife from any type of harm and he himself was stabbed in the stomach by the robber. The man also suffered injuries to his head. The bandit then made off with the man's wallet which had contained credit cards, some cash and other personal items.

The victim J.A.F. has been hospitalized for the wounds he has suffered. The Special Robber Unit is asking anyone who may have any information in connection with this case to contact the police Department and pass on that information. This is an extremely serious case and the detectives and police are doing everything they can to solve this matter.

Last week staff from the Island Government Department's of General Affairs and Tourism attended an HIV/AIDS Sensitization session facilitated by Myra Sprott of the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team. These sessions are being held in an effort to raise the awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst staff members. Both department's will be Thinking [RED] and Doing Safe for the month of March along with the official [RED] business for that month, which is NAGICO Insurances.

Philipsburg:--On Wednesday morning at approximately 09.45 a.m. the Central Police dispatch received a phone call informing them, that a jeep in which 4 persons were driving, for unknown reasons had driven off the Sandpiper road and landed between the cliff and the back of a building located on the premises of the garage of Intermar Shipping in Point Blanche.
Immediately after receiving this information several police patrol were sent to the scene to investigate. On the scene the patrols encountered the four occupants of the jeep. They were all U.S. citizens, visiting the island for the day. The driver of the jeep with the license plate R-776 came out uninjured. The female passenger sitting next to the driver injured her right arm and elbow and suffered from other minor small cuts and bruises to her body. The female and male passenger sitting at the rear of the jeep complained of some pain to their elbows and head. They too suffer other minor bruises to their body. All victims were treated on the scene by the paramedics and then transported to the Sint Maarten Medical center for further treatment. The height from which the jeep fell is approximately the height of a two story building. The police traffic department was in the the scene and has started their investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Philipsburg: ---Minister of Constitutional and Home Affairs Roland Duncan yesterday forwarded a financing request of the Executive Council of St Maarten, for the funding of a project engaging quartermasters for St Maarten. Quartermasters will be used to lead and guide the setting up of new departments/directorates of Ministries of Country St Maarten. Funds are being secured to employ quartermasters for the following Ministries or sectors of country Sint Maarten: Finance, Education, Spatial Planning, General Affairs and Health Affairs. The project proposal was prepared by the Directorate of Programs and Projects of the island territory and approved by Minister Duncan for submission to USONA for funding. The Project amounts to NAF 1.113.750, 00.
In preparation for the implementation of the project a PROTOCOL will be signed between the Executive Council and the Minister to govern the execution of the project. The protocol will call for the Executive Council to have full freedom, authority and responsibility for the engagement, functioning and production of the quartermasters. The Minister will retain oversight of the financial management of the project. A draft of this protocol has already been forwarded to the Executive council. Minister Duncan hopes that signing can take place shortly, preferably before the end of this month.
The funding of this project is part of the NAF 14 million financing agreement signed by the Minister with State Secretary Mrs. Ank Bijleveld-Schouten on February 14th 2008 for projects connected with the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. Projects in execution based on this agreement are, among others, [a] institution of protocol department St. Maarten, [b] Strengthening maritime management, [c] dismantling Netherlands Antilles, [d] customs, [e] assistance to island territory Curacao, [f] Kadaster Bonaire, etc.

Philipsburg: --- "St. Maarten is progressing well in the constitutional process despite the lack of manpower locally" says Prime Minister Emile de Jongh-Elhage. The Prime Minister said after meeting with the Executive and Island Council during her two day working visit along with the governor general she is very much satisfied with the progress St. Maarten has made thus far. "Nevertheless I am very very proud of St. Maarten and the way they are going about the process. I am particularly proud of the amount of work St. Maarten is putting forward for the change of status and most importantly for the well being of its people."
The Prime Minister said it has been three years she is working on facilitating the change of status and it has been decided this year they would visit all of the islands before the Curacao referendum which is slated for May 18. She considered the visit to be very successful since she met with all of the executive and island councils on each of the islands.
While on St. Maarten the Prime Minister and Governor General managed to be at the Down Street Jetty, the Emilio Wilson Park, The UJIMA foundation and the St. Maarten Housing Foundation are only some of the projects to get a closer view of these places.
In answering questions on the crime situation she said this matter was discussed, however, she said only a few weeks ago the Minister of Justice David Dick sent some extra police officers from Curacao and the difference was clearly seen but now the crime is beginning to rise again now that they are gone. She said she already made a call to the Minister of Justice and he would be coming to St. Maarten very soon to meet with the island and executive council to further discuss crime.
On the political situation she said they are very concerned about St. Maarten's political turmoil and she did discuss the matter with the island leader and was assured a solution is forth coming. Even though not divulging what was said in the discussions with Westcott Williams she said it's a local problem and the central government has no intention to intervene at this point since they are hoping for a solution. She said all over the world politics is the same and whatever is said in Holland should not be considered as personal.
It will be Yes for Curacao
Quizzed about the possible outcome of the referendum the Prime Minister said the people of Curacao will be voting "yes we can", and there is no plan B in case the voters should vote no. She considered the present constitutional process a once in a lifetime opportunity since there has been an immense amount of discussions taking place these last years. She insisted that she in particular is very proud of the efforts being made by the islands within of the Kingdom. The Prime Minister also reminded that the present process is the wishes of the people.
She said even though she is certain that the outcome of the referendum will be a yes, should it be a no then that would be it for her since her job would be completed or no longer needed. Prime Minister de Jongh-Elhage said this process was negotiated before and she is the one who is facilitating the change and should there be a change of heart then the people no longer appreciates her work and efforts. "Should they vote no it means they are refusing my efforts and that would tell me that is not what they wanted me to do for them, which would mean I must step down from my seat as Prime Minister." However, she insisted that for her if it's a no it will be the end of the discussions but strongly feel the people of Curacao would be voting Yes and not otherwise.
As for the present economic situation she said no one in the world had foreseen the present global economic downturn. She considered the Netherlands Antilles as blessed since they are still getting help from the Netherlands especially since this is affecting the world
She said based on the information given to her from the executive council they are working and focusing on every possible measure to mitigate the consequences of the global crisis. She felt the island government is on the right path since only on Thursday they held the economic summit. She made references on the amount of work that is being done by commissioner of ROB Theo Heyliger who is always on the move; that of commissioner Wescot Williams and Commissioner with the constitutional process Buncamper Molanus with the economic summit. The Prime Minister said based on this drive it shows that St. Maarten is ready to move forward and they are not sitting back and fighting with each other. Instead she said they are defending the people's business.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern on the developments of Emilio Wilson Park. She readily admitted that this is a complicated matter but the central government will do all it can to assist the environmental foundations acquire their wishes by preserving their history. The Prime Minister said that the situation of Emilio is very emotional since it regards their history. She described the park as beautiful and stressed ones history must be preserved.

Philipsburg- Commissioner responsible for Labour Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, last week met with the Dominican Consul and several Dominican business owners to give clarity with respect to the January 12, 2009 revised Labour Policy and also to exchange views and ideas.

The request for the meeting came from the Dominican Consul based on concerns of the consul and that of Dominican business owners.

"The revised labour policy is a work in progress which could be adapted taking into consideration the different practical aspects of doing business on the island. This was the overall message given to the Dominican Consul and business owners.

"The meeting was very productive with the Dominican Consul willingness to work with the Labour Department on matching the local labour supply with employment demands of the market. One entrepreneur suggested that business persons can help mold personalities and work ethic during job trainings. Everybody is willing to work together to enhance the revised labour policy and work out the bugs in order for it to be applied in a constructive manner creating the opportunities for St. Maarteners seeking gainful employment," Commissioner of Labour Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Commissioner Wescot announced last week that a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prepared after a meeting with a private sector Think Tank contains some adjustments to the 2009 labour policy.

The Think Tank comprised of representatives of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association.

The draft MOU will be presented to the Executive Council and then to the Tripartite Committee comprising of representatives from the unions, government and the business community. The latter will evaluate the implementation and execution of the revised labour policy and this will be done six-months after the implementation date (January 12, 2009).

Head of the Labour Department Raphael Boasman was also present during the meeting to provide clarity on different aspects of the policy.

Philipsburg: --- The deprived police force of the Netherlands Antilles will be getting some 21 new vehicles today as Minister of Justice David Dick will be making the presentation at a special ceremony today at the Philipsburg Police Station.
The Police department KPSSS has been understaffed and lacks vital materials such as vehicles. This has been the cry over the years, hopefully with the new fleet of the vehicles the insurance and other relevant documents would be in place so that the officers of the St. Maarten Police Force can begin to fight crime swiftly.

Philipsburg: --- Brazing the hot sun were some dignitaries as well as few police officers who stood outside of the Philipsburg police station to witness the handing over ceremony of some 23 brand new vehicles to the police for of St. Maarten (KPSSS).

Reza Macsood of Marshall Motors, Stephane De-je Robert of Vlaun and Sons, Julian Harley of St. Maarten Cars and a representative of Harley Davidson presented Minister of Justice David Dick with the keys of the vehicles that were all parked in front of the police station. The keys were immediately handed over to Assistant Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran. Recognition was also given to Zenitel for the radio communications.

The Minister in his statement said the presentation of the vehicles is representing a project that has been underway for sometime now. He said the vehicles that is very much needed is only the first part of this project while the second is the human resources which are being worked upon.
The purchase of these vehicles he said represents the security plan for the Netherlands Antilles. Dick said the vehicles that were handed over yesterday only represent 50% of the amount of vehicles that is actually needed on St. Maarten. He said the minute he receives the plan for the second half it will be presented to USONA for execution. Hopefully when this is done the police force would have enough vehicles in place to execute their duties.

The Minister thanked the dealers for the prices they sold the vehicles for as well as the efficiency in getting them on the island.
Dick said he is looking to the Union representatives who were also present that if their members take up their responsibilities then the work can be achieved faster.
He said just recently they signed an agreement for the development of human resources where at least seventy or eighty members of the police force will be getting the necessary training they need on management as well as middle management and other related duties. He said with this training the police organization will be able to function much better. The Minister said these materials and trainings are part of the Win Win Agreement which was signed early last year. He called on the stakeholders which includes the office of the Lt. Governor, the executive council, the unions as well as the police to demand from each other their deliverance in order to achieve their goals.

John Received Praise for his Outstanding Efforts.

In speaking about the projects Minister of Justice David Dick gave credit to Chief Inspector Carl John for his outstanding contributions to the Police Force (KPSSS). Dick said he does not normally pinpoint officers in public but because of the amount of work and dedication John has shown as a cop he is obliged to publicly thank him. The Minister said he does not have enough words to thank Officer John since there is not one project he is working on that John did not contribute to. Dick said if ever there is a day when he has to nominate an officer as the ‘super cop" he would make it his duty to nominate John for the award. He said he has no intention to exclude anyone but John is one of the best cops in the Netherlands Antilles who demands respect and respect must be given back to him. Besides executing his duties as an officer in the streets John also works in administration and on the recruitment of police officers for KPSSS.

He also gave thanks another officer who worked through her vacation on the acquiring of the vehicles. The project costs the central government some 2.1 million guilders which also includes the intelligence. Dick said only last week he saw the software that they intend to purchase for the Netherlands Antilles. He described the software as top quality and something that would definitely make the Netherlands jealous of the Antilles. "Holland will be jealous for what we are going to be implemented." The new software is to be used for the purpose of investigations which will be implemented in the entire Netherlands Antilles especially St. Maarten. The Minister said this software is used in the USA for immigration and other purposes. This software he said will be implemented in the next three months. When all technology is fully implemented the police on St. Maarten would be able to have cameras and laptops installed in their vehicles the Minister said.

 
A---Team Recognized by FBI.|

The Minister also presented a recognition award on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigations of the United States of America (FBI) to the A- Team of St. Maarten for the capture and arrest of Michael Jason Registe who is wanted for double homicide in the state of Georgia.
The Minister said the Americans have now recognized the KPSSS for their services which he said is far better than before. He said in their last report they indicated that St. Maarten is working and has improved in the services thus he is extending congratulations to the police of St. Maarten for their achievement and recognition.

 
MARECHAUSEE PRESENTS VEHICLES AND OTHER MATERIALS TO KPSSS.

Also part of the presentation ceremony yesterday the general of the royal Marechausee Mr. Van Putten who are on the island presented a list of items to the St. Maarten Police Force. The items include vehicles, laptops and other items which will be displayed at a later date. Minister Dick said police coach Ronald Dongor approached the Marechausse for much needed items. He said the general has a special place in his heart for St. Maarten. He also thanked the marechaussee for the much needed manpower they are giving to St. Maarten and the rest of the Netherlands Antilles. He said the marechaussees are the only institution who responds very quickly when assistance he requested from them.

Chief of Police Franklyn Richards in his statement said that everyone in the police force is happy with the cars they received. However, he said in the past when the police needed cars they were forced to approach the private sectors to make donations to the police. Richards said that is only fair that he go back down memory lane to say that the police approached TELEM, the Harbor Group, and the Airport who all donated cars. He said right now they are busy enhancing the police force now that the island is busy with acquiring its country status something that is very important. However, all of this he said must be done in such a way so that the police force would be able to carry its own weight.
The island Chief of Police also thanked the police for the efforts they have made over the years to combat crime with the little means they had. Richards said even though the police had limited vehicles, manpower and even information center they have done a great job in combating crime. He also commended Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein for the job he is doing alongside the police.

Richards also reminded the Minister of the difference on crime when the 15 officers from Curacao was on St. Maarten. He said the crime rate had dropped tremendously and now that the officers have left its beginning to increase again. He said the island and its people is looking forward for those 15 officers to return to St. Maarten in a structured manner. He said he took note of what the Minister said about recruitment and he would be looking forward for it because the island truly needs it to tackle crime. Richards said if that is not done then the islands would not be able to achieve their country status. He said he already noticed the changes and hopes that there is a continuation for the better because without it they cannot do it alone. Richards also thanked General Van Putten for his generous donation especially the two police outpost that is expected. One he said would be installed in Sucker Garden while the other in the Maho area.

The Minister immediately responded to Richards by informing him that the moment he appointed Commissioner Ademar Doran to the Chief Assistant Doran indicated to him in their first meeting that he would need additional manpower from Curacao in a structured manner. He said those officers will be coming at least four times a year to St. Maarten. However, there will be no indication as to when they are coming since they want to surprise the criminals to a certain extent.

 

Philipsburg:--- On March 10th and 11th a delegation from UNICEF was in Sint Maarten to have preliminary discussions with Government and non Governmental Organizations regarding the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the rights of the Child.
UNICEF advocates for the protection of children's Rights of the United Nations.
The visit was coordinated by Mrs. Shermina Powell Senior Policy Officer of the Section Youth Affairs and drs. Angela M. Dekker Project Manager Innovations of the Department of Educational Research Policy and Innovation.
During their visit the delegation had meetings with, Commissioner of Education Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams and Heads of the Departments of Education, Health, DERPI, Social Cultural Development as well as the NGO's such as SIFMA, Youth Council, representatives of the foster homes and the Schools for "undocumented" children.
A visit was made to one of the community schools and Sophia's Camp

The delegation consisted of the Director UNICEF Eastern Caribbean office in Barbados, Director UNICEF South Caribbean, and a senior officer , in Guyana and Senior Programme Officer UNICEF in Holland.

The delegation was pleased with the way the different organizations are working on meeting the requirements of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
They are willing to give their technical support in the areas where Sint Maarten needs that.
This will be discussed with the Governmental and non-Governmental organizations.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, says she fully supports 2009 Childfest and encourages the community especially parents to partake in the Family Fun Day event which will take place on March 15 at Port de Plaisance.

A Red Carpet Gala Dinner and Silent Auction will also be held on March 14 at Rock house Restaurant, Port de Plaisance, in an effort to raise US$100,000 for intellectually challenged and needy children and youth in St. Maarten.

"I would like to commend the organizers for holding what will be the third Childfest event. The fest provides an opportunity for children to become directly involved in arts activities and presentations and is both educational and entertaining in its nature," Commissioner of Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).

There will be a wide variety of activities this year such as Jumping castles, categorized by age group; Pony rides; Petting zoo; Quad rides for adults and children; Boat charters which will offer brief lagoon cruises; Clay sculpting; Magician show; Clown entertainment; Little princess parlour, where girls can get pampered; Masssage parlour for adults; a tattoo artist; Photo booth for on site photo development; Balloon and artist face painting.

Last year the event raised US$86.700 which went to The Help Our Children Foundation, Special Olympics Foundation St. Maarten, Crystal Children's Home, UJIMA Foundation, and University of St. Martin Hospitality programme.

Philipsburg:---Sundial School will be launching its 5th Annual Drugs and Violence Prevention Week Program for 2009. We believe that behavior change occurs when students gain information about the risks and benefits of certain behaviors, form attitudes based on that information, adopt positive norms and bond with positive individuals and institutions, and learn behavioral skills. Bonding results from having opportunities to participate, skills for participation and recognition for involvement. Our objectives include (but is not limited to) reducing intentions to engage in risky behaviors in schools; teaching resistance/coping skills through interactive methods; teaching important life skills such as anger management and conflict resolution; helping students to be better prepared to deal with the challenges of life; fostering pro-social bonding to school and community; teaching social competence and resistance skills that are culturally and developmentally appropriate; promoting anti-violence social norms and values; helping students be violence and crime free; and promoting respect, tolerance and safety.

During our prevention program students will engage in school community service and façade restoration by removing and erasing the gang-related graffiti and obscenities exposed on the school property as a means of improving the school climate and environment. Students who personally volunteer will be rewarded. Other students will be invited to paint a peace mural.

Our week long program will then culminate with a mini-concert on Friday, March 20, 2009 highlighting a number of fun-filled activities; Behavior Motivation Awards Prize Giving Ceremony; drug/violence-free rap, drama, speech, poetry. The PTA is invited. There will also be a peaceful remembrance of Stanley Gumbs who was brutally taken from us too soon. A prominent feature will be a domestic violence T-shirt Art Clothes Line-Exhibition, honoring our mothers who traditionally wash clothes, raising consciousness and communicating non-verbally to victims that they are not alone . Every student who cares about a woman decorates her/his own shirt and it is a testimony to their experience. Each category of abuse is assigned a different message. The Suggested Color Code is WHITE is for women who have died of violence; YELLOW or BEIGE for women who have been battered or assaulted; RED, PINK, or ORANGE for women who have been raped or sexually assaulted; BLUE or GREEN is for women survivors of incest or child sexual abuse; PURPLE or LAVENDER for women attacked because of their sexual orientation. BLACK is for women attacked for what they believe. It is a voice for those who want to tell but don't want to talk.

Recognizing your commitment to eradicating youth crime and domestic violence we, therefore, kindly invite you cover our mini-concert program and exhibition on the 20th of March. We look forward to hearing from you and your commitment to participating in our program.

Phillipsburg: ---Judges on St Maarten will have an opportunity to hone their skills this weekend as Eric Taylor popularly known as Pink Panther will be on St Maarten to conduct a Calypso judging workshop.

Personal invitations have been sent to approximately fifteen (15) persons customarily involved in judging both Junior and Senior Calypso competitions over the years. In addition, all Calypsonians are also being encouraged to attend the workshop.

According to one of the workshop coordinators, Rolando Tobias, the main purpose of the workshop is to elevate the standard of judging calypso competitions on the island. "We wanted to have all judges and Calypsonians exposed to the same training, so that there is a better understanding of what is expected in judging Calypso"; Tobias stated. The judging workshop is being held one week prior to the 2009 Senior Calypso eliminations. The Senior Calypso eliminations are scheduled for Saturday March 28th at the Celebration Palace. Out of the pool of judges, members will be selected randomly to function as judges for the Junior and Senior Calypso competitions at future Carnivals.

Tobias informed that there is still space for about 5 persons who have had experience in judging in the past on St Maarten and who would really want to increase their knowledge. Interested persons may contact Rolando Tobias, Toontje Buncamper of Funk Gumbs. The Calyspo judging workshop will be held on both Saturday and Sunday at the John Larmonie Center from 11.00am to 6.00pm on both days.

Philipsburg: --- Denisia Martimbor or "Lil Blossom" as she is known on the stage made a presentation of her first CD to the principals of the Sr. Marie Laurence school yesterday morning. Lil Blossom said on behalf of my family I would like to make this presentation to the Catholic School Board and Principals of all Catholic Schools. The CD has a positive message which would be useful for my peers.

'Denisia Martimbor" also known as 'Lil Blossom" launched her first CD at Don Froston's concert "music in me" on Sunday March 8th at Maho Convention center. Lil Blossom is 10 years old and she is a student of the St. Dominique Primary School.

She began singing from age of four says her proud mother. Last year Lil Blossom graced the stage for the first time in competition for the junior Calypso show, with a song written by Calypso Barbara entitled "your behavior determines your future". Her performance was great, much to the liking of Calypso Barbara that she decided to write another song for her entitled "Don't grow up too soon". When we got the song from Barbara we decided to record it because we believe the song can be a hit." Says her mother Joanne Martimbor Lewis.

Anastasia Larmonie arranged the recording which was done at Roger Israel's studio in Trinidad, she said another idea was born to do a video clip of the song, and they did the clip which was shown at the launching of the CD. The song sends a positive message to youths to follow the correct path by sticking to the rules and regulations and take time to grow up. Lil Blossom is a member of the Methodist Church Choir and Anastasia Larmonie youth choir. Its cross over jazz. Her CD is available at Methodist Church book store, from Angie Pantophlet at PJD2 radio, Denisia's dad Denisio "Master D" Martimbor or her mom Joanne Martimbor Lewis. The general public is asked to support this young entrepreneur.

Marigot: --- The Secretary of State for the Overseas Territory Yves Jego is expected to visit St. Martin this Thursday. SMN News understands that Jego will be arriving at 5:30 pm Thursday at L' Esperance Airport and he is expected to spend at least three days on the island.
The Secretary of State is visiting the island on a working visit. So far there has been no confirmation from the Sous Prefecture about the visit, however, civil servants from the COM has been busy calling certain persons in the community to invite them to a cocktail party while a meeting is scheduled with the Territorial Council.

Philipsburg: --- State Secretary of Health George Pantophlet wants to know who has a building permit for the sanitary landfill (garbage dump) in Philipsburg. Pantophlet said he is not referring to the people that are living next to the dump but instead he is talking about the building permit for the dumpsite.
The site is not only expanding but it is also becoming a high rise. The State Secretary for health said very soon people and visitors on St. Maarten would only see garbage and not the homes and businesses that are located on the dump. He said the new administration building in close proximity will be filled with hundreds of civil servants and persons who visit the building seeking information.
Pantophlet said he wants to if the island government or sector health care took the time to see what kind of health risk these civil servants would be exposed to.
Secondly he wants to know what type of garbage is allowed to be dumped at that site. We have had complaints about batteries and other chemicals being dumped at the site in the past. The State Secretary for health said he wants to know what kind of controls is done at the site. The persons now suffering the most from this problem are the ones living on the dump site.

The only benefit they have if you can call it one is that they might not have to pay for garbage collection because it is right next door. They are at risk, they don't have proper housing, running water, water drainage and a sewage system is non existent. It is time to look at the infrastructure at the dump site. A survey has to be carried out giving a figure indicating how many persons are living there. It is time for roads to be paved, proper water drainage, electricity among others. Pantophlet said he thinks it is critical that the hygiene department be provided with the necessary staff and equipment to do regular control. And this brings some questions to mind: Such as when was the last time that the water in the salt pond was tested? What were the results? If outside expertise is needed then this should be acquired providing we don't have it in house. There was a time when you could talk about flu virus seasons but apparently in our out of seasons the flu virus is around. This means climate and environmental changes. The sanitary landfill must be controlled.

Marigot: -- Three female passengers of an Atos were severely injured on Thursday night on the Bellevue main road. The accident occurred somewhere around 10:30pm while the gendarmes and emergency services took over half an hour to respond to the scene.
Bystanders at the accident scene told SMN News that the perpetrators of the accident hit the Atos from behind injuring all three of the occupants. The vehicle that hit the car was nowhere to be found. On the ground was one of the victims who were not responding to those in the immediate area. Another victim is said to have a broken finger.
In the meantime the gendarmes are calling on all eyewitnesses to the accident to come forward with whatever information they may have. A press release from the gendarmes stated that at least four persons that were in the vehicle are seriously hurt and was transported to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, described her meeting with a delegation from the Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba as a success. "We had a fruitful meeting where I was informed about the numerous duties and the staffing of the St. Maarten Met Branch. An overview of the St. Maarten operation and the improvements made since June 2008 was presented," Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

The meeting that took place between Acting Chief of the St. Maarten Met Office Eugenio and Director Albert Martis, Commissioner Buncamper, Sector Director of Economic Affairs Miguel De Weever and Senior Advisor to Commissioner Buncamper Ruth Boyrard-Brewster, was held to discuss the requirements for the establishment of the National Meteorological Service for St. Maarten.

Commissioner Buncamper added that since the responsibilities of the Central Government meteorological service will be transferred to the Island Territory as of July 1, 2009, the Island Territory is busy preparing for the transfer.

The transfer of tasks and responsibilities is based on the November 24, 2008 agreement that was signed between the Island Territory and the Central Government.

St. Maarten will receive the responsibilities from the Federal Government with the exception of those related to conventions and international agreements. As was suggested earlier, during the video conference between the Council of Ministers and the Executive Council of St. Maarten, a platform will be established that will further work out the transfer of the meteorological services scheduled for July 1st.

The Commissioner pointed out that this will be a good platform where knowledge and experience will be exchanged among the islands, enhancing the understanding regarding management and the international affairs of a National Meteorological Service. Furthermore management of the Met office offered the commissioner the possibility to send students and personnel for additional training and preparation in Curaçao if needed.

Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus stated that she welcomed the work that has been done during the past months and commends the new director for giving St. Maarten's branch office more attention. The commissioner emphasized that work will continue to explore the options of making St. Maarten a full fledged Meteorological Center which undoubtedly will have alliances with other Met offices including the future Curacao establishment.

"Our point of departure which is also shared by Director Albert Martis is that we assume the responsibility ourselves, this is the case for all Central Government services and where we are unable to or if it is more feasible to work with others, not excluding country Curacao, we will do so. But it must be understood that St. Maarten must build its own services, improve and increase its own knowledge base, in this specific case offer career prospects in meteorology.

"In other words St. Maarten must embrace this constitutional reform process to equip its own people to handle its own affairs. St. Maarten has the chance now to create job opportunities for St. Maarten people, students studying abroad, like Joel Pierre, in jobs that fall within the middle and high income bracket, hence settling to purchase services from others will not bring us to that level," Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

The service according to Martis and Commissioner Buncamper provided by the Netherlands Antilles Meteorological Service in which the observers of the St. Maarten's branch office gather local information and disseminate meteorological products, is of good quality. However the building on St. Maarten which houses the dependence has not been able to function independently, thus remaining dependent on the main office in Curacao. In addition, for years moneys requested to be placed on the Central Government budget were repeatedly removed leaving the building and as a result the working conditions in a deplorable situation.

But there is good news as equipment has been renewed and after eleven years the radar Doppler has been returned to St. Maarten after being damaged during the hurricane in1998. While not yet erected the work has started for the radar to be put in place within the coming months. As St. Maarten would like to consider establishing a full fledged Met Service, requirements were discussed to be able to perform the additional duties. These requirements include the qualification for operational meteorologists, the meteorological technicians, management personnel and housing of the Service.

Also the concept of cost recovery for meteorological services was considered as a mean to generate revenue for the Service.

In the concluding remarks the Commissioner stated that although St. Maarten will continue the process of setting up a National Met Service, there will be always a way of cooperation with other Met Services, especially within the Kingdom, to ensure the quality of meteorological services for the general public and the relevant sectors of St. Maarten.

SIMPSON BAY -The Princess Juliana International invested close to $850, 000 to construct a new fisherman's wharf in Simpson Bay. Reasons behind the investment are the fact the old jetty had to be removed to make space for the rerouting of the Airport Road, which would enable PJIAE to create safety zone at both ends of the runaway.
Aviation Commissioner Sarah Wescott Williams place the first pile in place paving the way for the construction of the wharf.

Airport president Drs. Eugene Holiday said that the project is "a critical step towards the realization of the required extension of the runway to allow for the introduction of the mandatory runway end safety areas."
The airport will put out a tender for the work on these safety-zones of 150 meters at each end of the runway within the next few months, Holiday explained. St. Maarten will be one of the few regional airports to meet this international aviation standard, the president added.
Contractor MNO Vervat managed to win the bid for the project, which consists of the demolition of the existing Simpson Bay fishermen's wharf, driving sheet [piles to construct bank protection, filling the area with excess sand and constructing the new jetty. ICE did the engineering of the project.
MNO Vervat managing director Jeroen Grootenhuis said that his company expects to complete the work within the four months it agreed upon, "and possibly quicker."
Once the construction of the new jetty is complete, in early August, work will start on "rerouting the existing airport road along the southern, eastern, and northern shorelines of the filled in land," Holiday said. The rerouting of the road creates the space for the runway end safety areas.
Commissioner Wescot-Williams said that the safety-zones are important, because by creating them, the airport will meet international standards.

Philipsburg: -- The recent island council debate on the issuance of building and hindrance permits was just an eye opener compared to the reality of what is really taking place on St. Maarten and who are the ones that stand to benefit in the building boom.
While the economy maybe booming and the present recession may not be affecting as much as it is around the world.

The shack in this first photograph shows that the person or persons that are living in this shack is hardly making it even though working a full time job. Worst of all it seems as though the inspectors at ROB has not seen this home which has no utilities, and sanitary provisions. The makeshift step calls for real concern if these persons are to be rescued from any type of natural disasters.

Not very far away is the construction of a massive home which is built directly on the retaining walls another catastrophe waiting to happen in case of hurricanes. One would believe the inspectors who inspected this building would question the density as well as parking space since the building has four floors. Sources told this media house a building permit is yet to be issued for the building that however, could not be confirmed.

While further down the road in St. Peters are two major Shanty Towns one known as the Spanish Shanty Town and the other the Haitian Shanty Towns. Already in 1995 the island government had the ROB destroyed several of these shacks due to the fact they cannot withstand a hurricane but over the past 14 years the director of ROB who lives not far away has turned a blind eye on the reconstruction of these shacks on government owned land. This of course annoys many locals since they have to go through government bureaucracy to add another bedroom to their home.
Driving down LB Scot Road in the vicinity of Dollison Drive is another concern since several illegal buildings were constructed without the necessary building permits, yet the homeowners who are all foreigners managed to get documents from government departments to obtain water and electricity from GEBE. Among these buildings is a three story building that belongs to the present director of ROB Joseph Dollison. While Dollison sure do have his permit in place, there is a huge question of parking for his three story building. Neighbors in the area said Dollison was on their case when they were building. He even threatened to issue a building stop to a local family whom he said did not have sufficient parking space.

Driving round St. Maarten (Dutch side) can be done within minutes if the traffic permits, but taking a closer look at the concrete boom then one really has to question if those at Public Works (ROB) are doing what they are supposed to do or if they are actually doing what they are paid to do. Is it those that pay first are being served first or it is the other way around first come first serve? Is the million dollar question for our elected officials to answer?

Getting into Cay Hill there are two buildings, one that has no building permit yet there is electricity and water connected to building, how the owners did get that done is still a mystery.

The other building sure does have several extensions to which there is no permit. But knowing who the owner of the property is already tells the story of who did what. While just on top of Cay Hill is this beautiful home with three floors, the density of the area should come under questioning not withstanding there is absolutely no parking but no one so far did anything.

There is another unfinished building with countless floors in Cay Hill that it is understood has no building permit and the extension of the building is far from finish.
Getting across the hill in Cay Hill, is the Ice Factory that to date has no building permit. This factory is located next to the Cay Bay cemetery and not too far away from GEBE power plant. Is there a hindrance permit for the factory? is the next big question that no one wants to answer since the owner is local and someone who ran behind the island government for years for the necessary permits and to date it has not being granted. This media house understands the owner of the Ice factory had enough and he eventually built his factory which is operational without the necessary legal documents.

Not far way is another concrete jungle that has to be questioned. The building which stands just behind a Chinese restaurant on Union Road has hundreds of shacks that are being rented out to foreigners some of them hardly have proper access to the place they call home. Not so far away there is a home that is presently under construction without the necessary permits. When confronted by this reporter the response we get is "I am from here".

The most outrageous of all these buildings is the Border Bar located in Oyster Bay. The number of floors from the road is not visible however this reporter managed to count at least five floors while no one can tell how many rooms are being built at this exotic club. SMN News understands that the owner of this property did not even apply for a building permit. While they maybe in position of a building permit for the previous building there was none officially granted for the extensions. The concerns of this building seem hazardous since the construction looks shabby, not sufficient parking knowing the type of business that is at the location.

While the few photographs we show you here would enlighten our readers as to what is really happening in society one would beg to know who is really in charge of all this lawlessness. If the director of ROB somehow is not doing his job, then what happens to the commissioners who are driving around St. Maarten like everyone else? Most importantly one wonders what is the role of the Lt. Governor who is suppose to make sure law and order is respected on St. Maarten. Does the governor ask about these gigantic buildings that he did not sign a permit for or is he turning a blind eye to the reality of what is happening on the island? Is he capable or have the strength to deal with what is before him and when would he really act is indeed the million dollar question.
In this series we focused on some of the smaller buildings but in our follow up SMN News will surely bring you the images of those that belong to the real monsters. "The developers."

Cole Bay: --- Education Minister Omayra Leeflang was faced with a number of questions from the Suriname delegation who are part of the tripartite parliamentary meeting yesterday. Leeflang gave a presentation on compulsory education which is already in effect in Curacao and other islands of the Netherlands Antilles as St. Maarten is working on its implementation for the next school year. Compulsory Education in the Antilles is from age 4 to 18 while in Suriname it's from seven to fourteen.

The Suriname delegation posed questions concerning the early age bracket for compulsory education in the Antilles as well as the synchronization of the different languages to be taught in schools. Leeflang said the islands can learn from each other particularly Suriname since that country has more than one language while Dutch is taught in schools only. She said that is the case in point for the Antilles since all administrations will remain in Dutch when the islands are dismantled.

The Minister also gave a presentation on obesity which is affecting Curacao and the other islands in the Antilles. The Minister already launched a few programs where she is calling on everyone from nursery to university as well as the elderly to begin "moving their act". The programs and or laws are named "Antilles on the move" she said the idea is to make sure the people begin taking responsibility for their health since they need not wait for government to pay for these programs. She said if a person move at least half an hour a day can change their lifestyle and help eliminate obesity.

Philipsburg: -- Members of RST arrested two persons suspected to be involved in the murder of Stanley Orlando Gumbs whose body was found in a car in front of Fefe's Bar in Sucker Garden.
The two suspects were taken to Saba and Statia respectively on Tuesday afternoon where they would be held pending the investigation said Prosecutor Rienk Mud. Mud said he cannot and would not be releasing anymore information on the ongoing investigation since he does not intend to jeopardize his case. He said the investigation into this murder is a very serious case and every effort has to be made to solve it.
Presently there are three persons in custody that is suspected to be involved in the brutal killing which took place on March 31 2008.
Just two weeks ago the Prosecutor office called on members of the community to come forward with information that would lead to the arrests of the suspects since other witnesses had stated they had seen a white jeep like vehicle leaving the area shortly after the shots were fired.

Sucker Garden: -- Relatives and friends of the late Sydney Wathey gathered at the royal funeral home where they celebrated the home going of their husband, father, uncle, and brother.

Among the mourners were his nephew commissioner Theo Heyliger. Several persons among them dignitaries paid their last respect to the family. The late Siddy passed away on Friday after battling cancer on two occasions.

Philipsburg: -- Managing Director of the GEBE William Brooks has refused to answer questions pertaining to the ongoing dispute with the union and management of the company. SMN News posed questions to Brooks yesterday during a press conference called by the company to launch its new website.
"I called this press conference to deal with the launching of our website and I will not answer any questions pertaining to the union and the workers today." In a follow up response he said he would invite the media to another press conference where he would be able to answer their questions".
Giselle Dirckx-Williams the Corporate Communications Officer said the team that put together their new website has been working on the site for over one year and they deserve undivided attention so that they can get the credit they deserved. She said it is unfortunate that the two issues are happening at the same time, but the press conference was called to deal with the launching of their website and nothing else.
After the press conference members of the media were invited to have a toast with the team.
Workers of GEBE are at odds with management whom they say have refused to live up to their Collective Labor Agreement signed since 2006.
The workers via their Union already gave management of the company an ultimatum and only Thursday night a general meeting with the workers and United Federation Union was held.
It was decided during that meeting that all workers of the utility company would gather at the company's main office where they would demand their salary increase. The UFA already made clear that their members would not be going on strike on Monday instead they would be going to demand what is rightfully theirs as well as answers from their boss.
Workers of GEBE are due to a 10% increase in their salaries since 2006 as well as a 2% cost of living adjustment.
Management of GEBE had to come with an appraisal based on work performance which had to be conducted at the end each year which would be basis for the increase, however management has failed to live up to its responsibility since 2006. According to the well placed source GEBE had to compensate its workers with a 5% increase on their salary at the end of 2006 since they failed to meet the obligations of the CLA drafted by the United Federation Union.
The source said in 2007 management of GEBE tried to prepare an appraisal but failed to include the appeals committee which is obligatory and the salary scales structure. The latter was not even presented to the Union. It is said the reason why management of GEBE is withholding the document is simply because they have not lived up the 5% penalty the previous year.
This appraisal did not finish on time which caused the company to be in default and liable by 5% to all its employees for a second year. It is said that without the salary scale the union is not able to make comparisons neither can it monitor the growth of its members. The source said since the appraisal was incomplete the workers of GEBE refused to sign the proposed half finish document.
The employee said that they are peeved because it has been three years now and to date management of GEBE is not making an effort to live up to the CLA and this affects the employees pension funds which is adjusted during the first month of each year. Even if the increases are paid later in the year the workers still stand to loose in their pension for one whole year, however this has been happening for the past three years and there is nowhere to know when management would live up to its obligations.
The source said the last time workers of GEBE got their cost of living adjustment was in 2005 and so far management is not addressing the issue.
It is understood that the Staff Union the ASWI has begun a signature drive where they got over 80% of their membership to endorse the union since management refused to meet with them saying they are not representing the majority of the workers. To do so the union needs to have 51% of the workers as their members.
It is also said that the ASWI was forced to call in the Federal labor mediator since management has failed to meet with them on a number of occasions to sign a collective labor agreement. The source said management is stonewalling the ASWI since they still cannot meet the demands of UFA. Another concern for the workers is that they need to know which of the employees fall under the UFA and which ones fall under ASWI. It is understood that workers position on the job and or his salary is what decides which union he or she falls under and since they are denied the salary scale and structure they are not able to say who their members are.

Maho: -- The largest police recruitment ever done in the Windward Islands will be launched today in front of the Philipsburg Police station. At a press conference yesterday Chief Inspector Carl John calls on the general public to attend the recruitment drive since it will be Bing bang affair.
He encouraged parents to come out and join the force since they are needed.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran made a special appeal to the people of Saba, Statia and St. Maarten saying that he know that his people have the talents, the desire and the qualification to do better than the police but because of the circumstances and the bad shape of the organization it is difficult for them to perform under these circumstances.
He said the police officers are willing and they have recognized that it is their business and due to this fact they have decided to take ownership so they can move forward.

Recruitment agent Jefta Alberto Maltiha said the Central government made some Naf. 300, 000 to 350, 000 to their disposal for the drive which will last six months in all three of the islands. She also called on all persons living on these islands to come out and join the police force. Maltiha said the campaign is massive and they would be recruiting at least 35 persons for all sections. The focus they said will be placed on the younger candidates during the first campaign since the police are in need of police cadets between the ages of 18 to 35.
The intention of the KPSSS is to use all the local media, the movies and billboards and brochures which include giveaways to create he campaign will take place in two sections within the six month period. an intense awareness. She said the police is doing it's very best to strengthen its force so that they can offer better protection to the people of the islands. She called on those in the community to join the police force and serve their country.

Police cells to be completed by year end--- Information Session held.

Minister of Justice David Dick said he already see the difference in the local police force. He said while there these differences are small it has to be recognized. Dick said when he entered the police station he can see lights and the cleanliness of the building. He said that the police officers at Simpson Bay saw it was necessary to repaint the outpost and they did by themselves and did not wait on him to get it done. Dick said with these little things he already realized that the Chief of Police has taken the initiative to hold the information session which he fully supports.
Dick said they discussed several issues during the one day meeting. Those issues are financial, human resources, policing housing, office spaces and finances and issues relating to IT.

He said focus is being placed on human resource management and IT since he needs to move the police from a non digital world to a digital world. Dick said since the police force on St. Maarten had no IT experience the changes have created a greater impact on the staff.
Asked when the police cells will be completed Dick said it should be completed by the end of the year. He said while construction will take three months the administrative bureaucracy that has to be completed before the actual construction can take place.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, would like to congratulate the 21 Calypsonians who took part in Saturday night's Calypso Eliminations at Celebration Palace, especially Isidore "Mighty Dow" York who secured the highest points in the Calypso Finals, claiming the number one position in the line-up of the 10 Calypsonians.

"I look forward to the finals on April 27 which is expected to be aired throughout the Caribbean. I appreciate the effort made by all involved for bringing calypso to new heights on the island.

"This cultural art form was down, but Saturday evening was a demonstration of it not being down and out, but very much alive and well.

"I look forward to our young people also getting more involved as calypso certainly is part of our culture and its continued growth can only be secured by the participation of the nation's youth. One must have an appreciation for our calypso music and I look to the elders to help train the young ones who show interests in carrying it on," Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).

The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation requested The Sky is the Limit Foundation to organize the Calypso Eliminations. The organizing committee of the Sky is the Limit Foundation is Funk Gumbs, Rolando Tobias, Dave Woods and Claudius Buncamper.

Maho:--- Despite having a prepared rebuttal that did not address any of the points of the final LIDC debate the Federation of St. Kitts was awarded the winner over host island St. Maarten. The rebuttal was glared with disparaging remarks but the
the three panel judge that judged debate felt St. Kitts presented more arguments in the opening remarks. St. Kitts defended their title during this year's debate.
St. Maarten faced off against St. Kitts on the moot "The Greatest Threat to sustainable development in the Caribbean is the existing political culture." The judges who were clearly split in the decision also punished St. Maarten for not including the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles and the current political trend in the debate. They also sanctioned St. Maarten for comparing the corruption to HIV and AIDS that is has no respect for persons. They were also criticized for using sound bites of political campaigns to discredit St. Kitts Prime Minster Denzel Douglas.

The St. Maarten team provided statistics to show that politicians are responsible for Guyana's delayed development as well as Jamaica and Trinidad. The two fifth formers of the St. Maarten Academy did their best to show that politicians are the ones that are responsible for the development of any country however, due to greed and selfishness the Caribbean politicians would do anything to remain in office at the expense of its people.

The proposition team represented by Kevin James and Ciambi Paul top scored in their rebuttal which was to the point and dealt with the issues addressed by the opposing team. St. Maarten scored 691 while the winner St. Kitts 725. Best speaker of the night also went to St. Kitts main presenter Akeem Bacchus.

Bacchus clearly did lots of research and showed that the Caribbean's geographical location, size combined with crime and inflation is reason for its delayed sustainable development. Bacchus also displayed calmness and he commanded his listeners as he made both his presentation and rebuttal. He also claimed that the present economic downturn and the cost of fuel last year is what hindered the Caribbean combined with isolation from its customers. While he admitted that the political culture do affect the development in the region he felt it is not "the greatest threat". Bacchus said one must consider the islands are prone to hurricanes, its size and location is to its detriment.
When the announcement was made that St. Kitts came out winner of the final night of the debate the St. Maarten team went completely silent while the St, Kitts supporters began screaming out as they waived their country's flag in the excitement and joy in the Maho Convention Center.
Shortly after the final night debate a cocktail party was held where all the participating islands were presented with their trophies.

The Governor General and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles arrived on St. Maarten yesterday as they visit the Leeward Islands this week. The delegation would be commencing their working visit on St. Maarten on March 4.

Philipsburg:---- Commissioner Buncamper- Molanus of Economic Affairs, Miguel De Weever, the Sector Director of Economy & Tourism and Veronica Jansen her Executive Assistant attended a meeting with Jeanette Davelaar the acting head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) of the Netherlands Antilles, Mike Jacobs the section head Social Demographics and Maureen Blokland the section head National Accounts.

The purpose of this meeting was to get a better understanding of the current set up of CBS Netherlands Antilles and the pending projects for St. Maarten in 2009.The staffing and training of the CBS SXM staff was also discussed.

The executive Council of St. Maarten decided that Country St. Maarten should have its own Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).This new entity should take over the responsibilities of CBS Netherlands Antilles. In the last roundtable conference for the restructuring of the Netherlands Antilles it was decided that St. Maarten would assume the responsibilities of the CBS in July 2009.

A letter was sent to the Minister of Economic affairs responsible for the CBS in October 2008 to express St. Maarten's intent to establish CBS St. Maarten. The Minister was also requested to facilitate the training of identified persons in the Department of Economic Policy & Research (DEPR) at the CBS in Curacao to ensure knowledge transfer and the transfer of historic data. The most important services CBS within Country St. Maarten will offer will be National Accounts, Consumer Price Statistics and Social Demographics.

"If we are to have our own CBS in the near future, then personnel from St. Maarten should already be involved in the CBS projects that are taking place this year. There are two people in DEPR who currently do the fieldwork and it would be good if these people can already be used for the upcoming research projects," the Commissioner said. There is limited capacity within CBS to train people but it is important for St. Maarten to have people work along with CBS on the current projects. We also requested information pertaining to internship places at CBS," she added.

The Commissioner explained that while in receipt of the letter from the Executive Council of St. Maarten which was approved by the council on October 14, 2008 pertaining to the establishment of a Central Bureau of Statistics on St. Maarten, the CBS clearly has not taken any action to transfer any of its authority. During the meeting mention was made by CBS that they have not received any direction from the Central Government as it pertains to the constitutional developments.

Nevertheless, Ms. Davelaar will forward the financial statements of the CBS while CBS will cooperate with St. Maarten to establish the CBS St. Maarten and will start with the training for St. Maarten. "By July 1, 2009 there will be a CBS St. Maarten and the island according to political agreements is expected to take over all staff that was employed before December 2007, while those employed after that date can be taken over as well. So it is important that we continue to work together and synchronize our research so that comparisons can be made," Buncamper-Molanus said.

MARIGOT- the Dominican national identified as G.D.L was sentenced in Guadeloupe yesterday to four years imprisonment after he was found guilty of two armed robberies. The culprit would spend three years behind bars while he was expelled from all French territories for a period of five years. GDL and another his accomplice was arrested last Friday at the Yuppie Gas Station shortly after they had committed an armed robbery at a supermarket on Belle Plaine. The other suspect R.F. M from St. Maarten had refused to accompany the gendarmes to the French side thus he is remains behind bars on the Dutch side of the island. The duo had committed at least two armed robberies that same day reported the gendarmerie.
On Monday the gendarmes arrested a suspect for the theft of a cellular phone and hand bag from a diner who was at a restaurant in Orient Bay restaurant, this suspect is due to appear in court on June 4.

Dawn Beach:--- The first ever economic summit held yesterday to brain storm the effects of the global economic crisis and its effects on St. Maarten has been deemed successful so says President of the Chamber of Commerce Glen Carty who said that persons might be going into the summit with their own agendas.

President of the Chamber of Commerce said it sometimes takes a crisis to get the best out of people. He said despite he is not able to say fully that the summit was a success he has seen team work and the several people giving their very best to come up with real solutions to tackle the problems. He said yesterday's event is just the beginning since the task force has to put that which was suggested on paper before execution takes place.

The tripartite summit was held between the unions, businesses and the island government. Several members of the media including two students of the St. Maarten Academy participated in the day long event.
At the close of the event a number of recommendations was suggested which would have to pass through the technical group (task force)who has to report back to those responsible in one month's time.

Moderator for the event Dennis Richardson described the event as unique since the three pillars of government worked effortlessly to safe the island from the economic storm ahead. Richardson said the recommendations were given to reduce the internal cost of doing business and living, by conducting price control on basic food items. Lower taxes on basic necessity, extend and offer favorable credit facilities, and tackle bureaucracy.
Another suggestion is to re-invest the revenues that are generated on St. Maarten, for the example the monies that is going to the central government should be re-invested locally for example the turn over tax.
The incomes that are generated by the central bank should also be re-invested locally. Recommendations were given to strengthen the regional trade activities and diversification and transshipment and call centers. One way government can come up with the extra funds is to broaden its tax base as well as using strategic and more efficient measures to collects its revenues. More emphasis should also be placed on data collection that would created more update measures to boost the economy.

Commissioner of economic affairs Maria Buncamper Molanus clarified that these studies does not sit on shelves and take dust as was implied by Carty. She said the island government always uses these studies to make concise decisions. Buncamper Molanus said she believed that the summit gave everyone who participated to experience how difficult it is to come up with solutions in an environment and circumstances that are challenging particularly when there are some many factors that are beyond ones control.
The commissioner outlined some of the suggestions which were provided. She said that she does not expect the media to give up their role as the watch dog role but instead of focusing on the problems they should focus on solutions. She said while it was suggested that the premiums from the health care sector should remain locally, the national health plan would do just that when St. Maarten achieves it country status in January 2010.

Philipsburg:--- Defending the police on how they handle cases of rape or abuse police spokesman Johan Janchi Leonard said while he is not referring to any specific case, rape cases generally are very hard to prove. He said in most cases the victims of these incidents do not report the abuse on time. "One of the most crucial evidence to solving rape cases is the rape kit that is done by doctors" Leonard said.
Of recent months police received a number of complaints related to sexual abuse and in most cases they were able to apprehend the suspect.
However, these persons who maybe considered as sexual predators are being released by the investigating judge for the lack of evidence. Suspects who are found to be residing on the island illegally are being deported when this happens, a mere slap on the wrist, while no information on the suspect is sent to authorities in the suspect's country of origin.

Asked if there are loopholes in the law or why these suspected predators are able to escape the hands of the law Leonard said even though there maybe loopholes in the law the biggest hindrance in these cases generally is the time frame between the times of the incident and when the report was made. Rape cases are generally very hard to prove and this he said has been so and will remain so unless women or victims of such crimes begin to act quickly. Leonard said there are times when the victim would report the violation days, weeks, months and even years after the offence was committed. "What happens next is the man would say that the sex was consented and how else can that be disputed since the suspect would give several reasons why the woman is trying to frame him. "There are cases where women lie on men and vise versa, I am not saying this to discourage women but instead to let them know unless they act on time law enforcement cannot give them the justice they need." Leonard said.

The only evidence to prove otherwise is the doctor since they would see if the victim was indeed raped. Consensual sex does not leave the same traces and this cannot be seen with the naked eyes." Leonard explained while this is ruled out in cases of minors since sex with a minor is not allowed in the Antillean or Dutch laws. However, these minors must come forward and report these offences. The police spokesman said that another problem that has to be addressed is how parents deal with their children. "Women have to know who they are brining into their homes. He said many mothers who are left to raise children by themselves (single mothers) team up with men who would molest their daughters and the women would go all out to protect their man who in most cases is the bread winner over the child (victim). Leonard said there are cases where minor girls would go with their boyfriends overnight and to escape punishment at home they would tell their parents that they were kidnapped and raped. He said the police cannot keep someone behind bars if there is not sufficient proof. Neither can the police babysit children. Mothers he said has to listen to their children and most importantly know who they are having as mates. Mothers he said must be protective of their children and not the man that they are living with or having an affair with. "Mothers need to know that their children should be first and foremost in their lives even if the man is the bread winner".
The police spokesman said the police are not stupid neither are they dumb even though acknowledging that they do make mistakes as human. He said the police would do everything in their power to make sure victims of rape get justice. However, he said that the police do not work on hearsay; they do need concrete proof to put someone in jail, something that is often hard to come by in cases such as rape.

Leonard said another hurdle to cross is when the man (suspect) says one thing which is contrary to what the victim is saying. "It's his word against her word without evidence".
The senior police spokesman said on this International Women's day he wants women to know that the minute they are violated they must report it right away so that they can be examined by a doctor. Leonard said women needs to put aside the shame and embarrassment they feel when such things happen and use to the law to their best interest. He further stated that if the law does not give enough satisfaction these victims should turn to the press and other institutions so that the person or persons in question can be exposed. "I know this is hard to do, but it is the only way to attack these cases."

"Women are our mothers and they need to be protected and honored, there should also be a high esteem for our women and mothers. Due to this they need to take a tougher stand. Women are also the strongest being and they need to know their strength and use it." Leonard said.
Leonard said women must begin to take a tougher stand so that they can be appreciated as well as being respected. This he said must be done from the first day of every relationship. "Do not allow a man to beat you or intimidate you instead have him respect and love you" In cases of ill-treatment the first time a man lay hands on you throw him out of the house, do not tolerate him or accept this type of abuse. The police spokesman said women who are being abused by men should not show sympathy to these men since they would do it another time which would make the man feels like he owns the woman. "Never leave men feels like or believe he owns you. Take a tough stand from the beginning despite the odds." Leonard concluded by saying when women show their true strength more men would appreciate them for who they are. Women should stand strong and remain that way since they are stronger than men.
He also credited the associations who are involved in preventing abuse against women. Those associations are Safe Heaven and Peridot Foundation.

THE CARIBBEAN TOPS THE WORLD FOR VALUE, ROMANCE, FAMILY AND LUXURY VACATIONS.

St. Maarten/New York- St. Martin are once again among the select destinations in the Caribbean that made the prestigious list of TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards winners for 2009. Hotel Esplanade Caraibes in Grand Case was ranked number 7 in the region among the Best Hidden Gems of the Caribbean and Mexico. The Inn on the Bay, at Marigot Bay, in St. Lucia won top honors in this category which was dominated by Mexico. Bonaire's Deep Blue View Intimate Resort came second and also placed at number 27 among the Best 100 Bargains in the World.
Dubbed "The only honors representing the unbiased opinions of millions of real travelers, awarded by the world's largest travel community," TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards made its debut last year when Philipsburg, St. Maarten was ranked as the 3rd Best Vacation Destination in the World, and the number one in the Caribbean.
Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Roy Marlin, welcomed the spotlight the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards continues to shed on St. Martin. Noting that this is the second year in a row that the online travel community has chosen the island, Marlin stressed that "this is welcome news, especially at a time when the industry is reeling under the world economic and financial meltdown."
Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega, said she could not but notice the fact that this year, the focus has been on resorts while last year's inaugural awards was based on the destinations.
"This is indeed a welcome development amidst the doom and gloom we are facing. When over 10 million real travelers make their choices known through an award like the TripAdvisor's, we can only see this as the true Travel Oscars," she remarked.
"I consider it also a wake up call for all our properties to modernize, improve their service levels and offer their guests a lifetime experience, if they are to be considered among the best in the region and in the world," LaBega added.
In general, the Caribbean had an outstanding performance among the top regions in the world, being ranked in about half of the categories covered by the Awards.
Jamaica could be considered the top performer in the Caribbean in this year's awards, with The Caves in Negril rated number one in the Top 10 Best All-Inclusive in the World, in which category the Caribbean alone took half of the honors.
Two resorts in the Caribbean also made the Top 10 Best for Romance in the World, with the Caves in Negril ranked third and the Golden Tulip Bucuti Beach Resort & Tara Beach Suites in Oranjestad, Aruba at number 8. Nine of the World's 100 Best Luxury resorts are in the Caribbean, with The Caves in Negril, Jamaica again in the top 5.
According to a report in the South Florida Caribbean News.com, Hugh Riley, interim secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, commenting on the awards said, "TripAdvisor's ‘Traveler's Choice' Awards are 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," the online information source quoted the CTO scribe as stating.

Philipsburg- Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, Regina LaBega, is urging St. Maarteners to apply for the Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship in order to "take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade themselves, particularly in the vital areas of research and/or statistics which are badly needed today more than ever before."
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) recently announced the launch of the first annual Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship for Caribbean nationals working in tourism research and/or statistics. The US$5,000 scholarship is named in memory of the late CTO Interim Secretary General and Director of Information Management and Research who died suddenly last August while on an overseas mission for the organization.
According to LaBega, the late Arley Sobers was a friend of St. Maarten, who loved to visit the island and did not hesitate to lend his expertise in the organization of workshops aimed at further developing our human resource in the field of tourism.
"Arley Sobers definitely believed in tourism intelligence and believed the best way to gauge your marketing efforts is by the E/D (Entry & Departure) cards," Ms. LaBega stated.
"He believed that the region should have one universal "system" which would allow for comparisons as well. He wanted to organize a regional summit/forum in St. Maarten with all the professionals that play a role in the E/D System, i.e. Justice, airport, and tourism officials, as well as Commissioners and Ministers in charge of those portfolios."
LaBega said "he was a powerful, quiet and really nice person who deserves to be honored in this way."
Arley Sobers had conducted a three-day Educators Forum on St. Maarten in May 2004 designed for post secondary educators in the field of tourism, as well as tourism human resource professionals, consultants, trainers and educators. The theme of the Forum was "The E- Learning Professional - Exploring the Key Competencies needed to successfully use Technology to Develop People.
Sobers had also organized a Web 2.0 Social Networking seminar here in September 2007 which gave participants an understanding of the evolution and opportunities of Web 2.0 as it relates to travel marketing.
St. Maarteners and Caribbean nationals interested in applying for the Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship have until April 30, 2009 to do so. Detailed information on how to apply for the scholarship can be obtained at www.onecaribbean.org

...

As the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis joins the rest of the region in battling severe unemployment an invitation has been extended to over 10,000 persons by the Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation (PDHF).

Already with over some 700 persons already losing their jobs to retrenchment in the wake of what the Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation believes is an economic crisis that will grow worse, the leadership of the Christian oriented foundation says that it is now prepared to accommodate over 10,000 persons in offering them some means of assistance.

President and Founder of the foundation, Desmond Herbert said that the foundation is issuing an appeal to these persons to visit the foundation's office situated at Quality Trading Supplies Limited so as to have their concerns and issues documented. "We are devising a massive plan so as to assist these persons in whatever way that we can.

Therefore, we are inviting them to visit the foundation's office so that we can address a number of issues," Herbert said.

Herbert noted that he is willing to collaborate with both government and private sector "without precondition" in an effort to create "an alliance of stakeholders" in an attempt to seek to fashion a collective response to the crisis.

"We at the foundation are attempting to ensure that we can be taken seriously by all involved. As such, we trust that the foundation would be looked upon as a serious partner in addressing the urgent critical situation that we (St Kitts and Nevis) are faced with thus being able to be treated with respect as we are confident that we can make meaningful contributions in addressing the current crisis," Pastor Herbert told this reporter.

Herbert while not disclosing any details about his foundation's plan that they will present to government said that the foundation is confident that its plan can and will be essential in bringing about a [positive change to what people are faced with. "This NGO organization is committed to being part of "a key stakeholder partnership in the very difficult times thus the PDHF can be taken at its word," Herbert said.

Herbert pointed out that already he has met with persons who have been laid off from the tourism, Hospitality and manufacturing sectors, as shrinking international demand begins to force local companies to reduce their operating costs. Herbert pointed out that the Four Seasons Hotel in Nevis and some manufacturing companies in St Kitts had already sent home employees adding that some employers in an effort to save jobs have reduced the hours of their employees.

The PDHF President disclosed that the PDHF had already begun to reach out to a number of other workers noting that she is confident that the current crisis was likely to spread and that their jobs too might eventually be placed on the line. "The Pastor Desmond Herbert Foundation is extremely concerned thus we have begun to venture into meeting with workers from a number of sectors so as to see how we can collectively address the problem. There is evidently a need for someone whether it is institution. Organization or collective forces to look into the interests of those affected or likely to be affected in the context of the crisis facing them. We got to understand that they are the ones who are very vulnerable and very exposed," Herbert said.

He said that the shrinking economy, the threat to workers' jobs and the attendant social consequences made it imperative that the foundation which he stressed is operated solely on Christian principles make clear its preparedness to be part of any "process of national dialogue that includes government" to discuss ways in which the federation of St Kitts and Nevis can respond to the crisis. "We need to underscore the important point that the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis is bigger than any political or social movement while we must also understand that it is bigger than the government.

We as Kittitians and Nevisians got to move a step further and demonstrate that the tike for division and fighting is over as we got to realize that our commitment is really to our country rather than to any partisan or sectorial interest" he declared.

We are extending an invitation to the government and we are trusting that if they will sit with us we are confident that we can and will have open, purposeful and professional discussions on matters of critical importance to national growth and development," Pastor Herbert noted.

He added "this is a time of national emergency, a time when workers and peoples interests are very much at stake and a meeting of minds to determine the way forward should not be conditional on differences of opinion on lesser issues as too many times religious leaders are divided on minor and pretty issues which creates doubts and distrust among unbelievers thus questioning them as to why they are do many divisions among Christians," Pastor Herbert said.

Herbert announced that the PDHF is shortly to summon all religious leaders in St Kitts and Nevis to an emergency meeting so as to devisee a plan of action in helping to address crime. He pointed out that while the Prime Minister has devised a plan of action from Government's position no other organization, institutions or concerned group has come forward to lend any hand in putting in what he called ‘their two pence'.

"The meeting involving religious leaders would be one that can be described as "a meeting of critical importance" to discuss the implications of the economic situation for the work force along with the current escalation of crime. Asked whether the PDHF intended to extend invitations to religious leaders who may not want to get involve in addressing the crime situation for varying reasons Herbert told this reporter that while all religious leaders have a right to express and decide whether or not they want to get involve he hope that they all come on board for the sole interest of the federation

Cole bay/ Marigot: --- Officers of the police department escaped death when their car crashed early yesterday morning while chasing a suspicious vehicle. While the police spokesman did not release any information on the cause of the accident it is understood the officers crossed the French and Dutch border as they were hell bent on capturing two men who looked suspicious. It is understood the patrols were chasing a white Hyundai Accent when they crashed on the Bellevue Road.

Sources say the French Gendarmes arrived on the scene over and hour late while the officers in the car were not seriously injured. It is not clear if the officers had permission to cross the French border. On the scene inspecting the patrol car that is now a total loss -was Acting Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran and Chief Inspector Carl John.

Philipsburg: ----- Some six officers from South Holland are on St. Maarten holding several meetings with members of the police force and the management team. The officers who are known as the ZUID HOLLAND ZUID "South Holland South" can be considered the big brother of the local police force. Minister of Justice David Dick said they are the twin brothers who are here to assist the police with their upgrading. He said the meeting that is presently being held on all of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles is for information gathering. The Minister said that Curacao is receiving support from Rotterdam, St. Maarten from South Holland South and Bonaire from Noord Brabant.

These officers he said need to see in what best possible way they can be of help to St. Maarten Police Force and they have to determine what type of support they can offer in the upgrading process. The Minister said this process is vital to the Antilles since they are busy trying to secure the new status.
The visiting officers met with Richards Gibson sr. who is heading the task force for justice as St. Maarten pursue its country status. The visiting team is expected to meet the press today where they would further outline the main purpose of their visit and the amount of time they intend to spend on St. Maarten. Dick said other officers were appointed to the BES islands.

Philipsburg:--- The KPSSS would be receiving at least two years of back up from their twining partners the South Holland South (Zuit Holland Zuit) says Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran at a press conference yesterday.
Acting Chief Commissioner of Police of South Holland South Gerritden Uyl said the focus of the partnership is to strengthen and or further developing the operations of the police force and providing the much needed human resources. Uyl said even though the program has officially begun with their first official visit heavier focus will be placed during the summer vacation. He confirmed that there are financial means in the Netherlands for the program since the island is undergoing its status change.
Doran said that during the last three days the management team of the local police force met with the visiting officers and they already got a sense of warmth with relation to cooperation. He said based on that he is declaring that the St. Maarten Police Force is ready to cooperate in the program with their twining partners. Doran stressed that it is his belief that the island can only benefit from the program. Uyl said they plan to offer training to officers of the KPSSS here locally and in Holland. Discussed are forensics, criminal investigation and renewing the neighborhood policing. These programs he said was tried in Holland, while some of it was successful others were not but felt these programs can be implemented here. However, the local police management is the ones to decide what has to be enforced. Uyl said that some 15 police officers from Zuit Holland Zuit will be made available to the island.

Police Brutality

Asked how they intend to deal with police brutality since this has been one of the main concerns of the community. Doran said that the issue is indeed a delicate one but the topic was discussed with the staff of the police on Tuesday. He said management is trying to provide the officers with as much information by refreshing their minds on the rules and regulations of the force.
Doran said in the future a senior police officer from the local police force would be alongside the visiting officers who are conducting controls.

Bilateral Agreement on Cross Border.

With the release given by the French gendarmes concerning the fact that there is no bilateral agreement on cross border policing between the two sides of the island Doran said he plans to make contact with the commandant of the gendarmes where he would further discuss the matter. Doran said he intends to discuss all pending issues but felt that it is of great importance for both parties to get this type of agreement. He said while there is a physical border in place for the police and gendarmes there is none for the criminals. The acting police chief said he believes it is necessary for the two side law enforcement to cooperate to such a level that they could get across the border.
In the meantime, SMN News has learnt that the Commandant of the gendarmerie expressed his discontentment to the visiting officers who paid a courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday. It is said the Dutch police never made use of their radios or telephones to contact the gendarmes while they were on hot pursuit on Monday. This media house also understands up to yesterday the gendarmes are yet to receive an official call from Doran on the incident. It is said that the gendarmes are extremely annoyed with the Dutch Police who have changed three police chiefs in recent months. It is understood that each of the chiefs had different rules on cooperation but none of them has so far lived up to their own rules. SMN News further understands that the only time the gendarmes are contacted by the Dutch police in cases of hot pursuit is when an accident occurred. The source said Monday the gendarmes were not contacted prior to the accident and it was a passerby who called the gendarmes when they noticed there was an accident. Because of this the gendarmes arrived more than an hour after the accident has occurred.

 

Philipsburg:--- Sundial School has a packed program for the celebration of Violence Prevention Day today. The prevention program culminates with a mini-concert. The concert will be high lightening a number of fun-filled activities; which includes behavior motivation Awards Prize Giving Ceremony; drug/violence-free rap, drama, speech, poetry.
The PTA is invited is also invited to the days program. There will also be a peaceful remembrance of Stanley Gumbs who was brutally taken who was murdered
Also in the program is a prominent feature on domestic violence T-shirt Art Clothes Line-Exhibition, honoring mothers who traditionally wash clothes, raising consciousness and communicating non-verbally to victims that they are not alone. Every student who cares about women decorates her/his own shirt and it is a testimony to their experience. Each category of abuse is assigned a different message. The Suggested Color Code is WHITE is for women who have died of violence; YELLOW or BEIGE for women who have been battered or assaulted; RED, PINK, or ORANGE for women who have been raped or sexually assaulted; BLUE or GREEN is for women survivors of incest or child sexual abuse; PURPLE or LAVENDER for women attacked because of their sexual orientation. BLACK is for women attacked for what they believe. It is a voice for those who want to tell but don't want to talk.

The program for the days activities are as follows.

Friday's program includes a mini-concert on Friday, March 20, 2009 highlighting a number of fun-filled activities: a domestic violence Clothesline T-shirt Art Exhibition; Behavior Motivation Awards Prize Giving Ceremony; drug/violence-free rap, drama, speech, poetry. The PTA will be present.

7:30 Mentors take students to class. Take attendance.
Handout booster-grams, and Anti-violence bracelets
T-shirts are placed on lines for public viewing

8:15 Students take seats in Gym with mentors
Prayer, School Song, Say Peace Pledge

8:30 Program begins with performances from students: Rap, dance, poetry, drama

9:00 Guest Speaker 1: Whitfield Brown

9:45 Break: Students invited to watch exhibits

10:00 Program continues with performances from guests: Krump Soldiers, Odysseys, The Psychotics etc.

10:30 Guest Speaker 2: Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus

11:00 Behavior awards begin; Announcement of T-shirt winner.

11:30 Guest Speaker 3: Mercedes Wyatt: Electra

11:45 Student Happy hour begins

Com. Mrs. Maria Buncamper-Molanus and spouse were among several other guest, that attended Mr. Roland Richardson-Art Exhibit at his La Semana Gallery yesterday afternoon.

Philipsburg:--- The Board or the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) in a press release said they met on Friday last week to discuss several issues that are affecting their members. The meeting which began at 2:30 pm lasted over three hours at their office in Madame Estate.

Teachers that are working in public education, the Board of the WITU took the decision to address the Executive Council on some pressing issues that affected their members.

Those issues include the discrimination in the procedure of appeal between the teachers and the civil servants and the correction of the new resolutions received by the public school teachers last week.

The discrimination in the procedure of appeal between the teachers and the civil servants.

It is understood that a number of teachers had filed an appeal in writing, because they were not in agreement with their function or their salary received since the introduction of the new salary scale.

The Board of the WITU had brought it to the Council's attention in an August 2008 meeting the fact that no responses were received by the teachers before the start of the new school year 2008/2009.

So far none of the teachers have ever received an invitation to meet with an Appeal Commission and/or to be heard with regard to their Appeal.

However, the civil servants just received their new job function and already the procedure is in place for meetings/hearings with the Appeal Committee (an independent committee). This is also according to the "Sociaal Statuut," for civil servants, which should have taken place also for the teachers in public education.

Some teachers received a response in writing, after an extension on the period of three months as was stipulated for the response and an apology for administrative glitches for more time delays, while others are unsolved up till now. For those receiving an answer, the letters were only confirming that according to the review, their salary was correct and letting them know that they should go to the judge for civil servants affairs "Ambtenaren rechter," if they didn't agree with the decision that was sent to them. No mention was made of their function at this stage.

The private school boards e.g. S.V.O.B.E., did install an Appeals Committee to handle the appeal of the teachers and held meetings where the teachers were heard.

The Board of the WITU therefore came to the conclusion that this is a form of discrimination between two groups of workers with the Executive Council as employer. In retrospect, the WITU also condemns this type of discrimination due to the fact that it's an infringement on the rights of our members in public education, and has forwarded a letter urgently requesting the Executive Council to have a review of this issue.

The correction of the new resolutions received by the public schools teachers last week.

The public school teachers had received their new resolution the week of March 16-20th, 2009. This resolution stated their function and remuneration, and also mentioned that the periodic increase would be every two years.

According to the discussion and decision in the salary scale document, this increase (loon trede) should be every year, after evaluations and not as stated every two years.

The Board of the WITU in a letter to the Executive Council has requested for these resolutions to be declared null and void and for a corrected version to be sent to their members by the week of May 4th, 2009 (just after the SXM Carnival holidays), before the end of the school year.

Philipsburg:---Close to seventy persons who are either senior citizens or chronically ill are now hanging in limbo as they wait on the island government for their ‘help chauffeurs license'. SMN News have been reliably informed that several older persons or person who fell ill and cannot work but holds either a taxi or bus license is denied of a regular income since they are not able to obtain their "help chauffeur' license.
With the increase inflation and cost of living these persons it is understood is finding it extremely difficult to survive.

One elderly citizen said that he requested his license over six months now and to date he is not able to uplift the license from Yellow Building. The man said he is chronically ill and is not able to have someone work for him since there are government controllers on the road checking on drivers. Even worst the elderly man said he is not even able to uplift his license plate since he requested a "help chauffeur license". He further explained that the officials the Island Receiver is requesting holders of these licenses to go in person to form the line at their office to pick up their number plates. The man said his medical condition does not permit him to stand for hours and felt if he had his "help chauffeur license" then the holder of the license would have been able to pick up their plates.
Sources told SMN News that the processing of these licenses has stagnated since September of last year and so far the department does not know when it would resume.

Commissioner of Transportation Roy Marlin confirmed that the process for ‘help chauffeurs license is indeed a long and tedious process. He said based on how the process is set up for the moment these requests have to be processed by the Public Transportation Committee who would approve or disapprove of the granting of these licenses.
Marlin said just last week he met with the head of the Public Transportation Mr. Sherwin Fredricks whom he requested to provide him with a proposal which would grant Fedricks the power to grant these licenses without sending them to the executive council or the transportation committee. Asked how many persons are waiting on these licenses Marlin said he did not think there are so many persons on the waiting list, however, the commissioner said he did not have the exact figures. Marlin said persons who have their licenses, insurance and other relevant documents can pick up their license plate without much hassle.

 

Indian Ambassador to Venezuela- Mr. Yash Simma and his local delegation paid a courtesy visit to Lt. Governor Mr. Franklin Richards and Commissioner Mrs. Maria Buncamper-Molanus.

Marigot: --- For the past weeks residents of French St. Martin have been hearing that the State Council may well annul the August 7th election where Frantz Gumbs was elected President due to procedural errors. So far the president has remained mum on the issue since he too would be removed from his seat like his former president and now senator to pave the way for another internal election.

Senator Louis Constant Fleming when asked about this on Air Supply Radio Show which was aired on La Voix St. Martin yesterday confirmed that the State Council already mentioned that they may well annul the August 7th Presidential election. Constant-Fleming said that even though it was mentioned there has not been any official notification from the State Council.
The senator also said if that should happen then the possibility would exist for Gumbs to be re-elected to his presidential position. Fleming did not mention how possible that would be knowing that his team is slowly falling apart. Since it has been rumored that Marthe Ogoundele Tessi may be reinstated to her position it is said that Ogoundele who was not attending council meetings over the last year is now back. It is not clear if she is rebuilding her image which was destroyed by the UPP group so that she can run in the re-election or if she made up with her team. SMN News asked Ogoundele Tessi if she made up with her team. The former Vice President said she never left the party despite the turmoil and public embarrassment. She said the reason she was not attending the council and other meetings in the past was because she was busy with her teaching job.

However, it is clear that that the Vice President for economic affairs and the President of the Tourist Office is at odds. Both persons who are from the UPP team does not have the best relationship with those in charge especially after listening to the last week's budget debate where is said that the VP of Economic Affairs will be keeping the promotional budget for the Tourist Office even though he does not visit after and former director was officially fired.

SMN News is bombarded with emails concerning the amount of overseas trips the VP in question and at whose expense. Some of the emails are even questioning the disappearance of the 600,000 Euros from the tourist office and if an official complaint was filed against the culprits. They are also asking about the audit that was done at the tourist office and why it has not been made public. In one of the emails the writer suggested that the senator may be awarded with the post presidential seat that is now available thus he is turning a blind eye to the mis-management of the COM and the misappropriation of government funds at the Tourist Office. This media house already ran several articles outlining some of these issues including the possible annulment of the August 7th election.

The youth organization Teen Times issued a pulic apology to the winners of its last Talent Showdown for the cancellation of the organization's annual trip to New York. The organization explained that their long time sponsors cited challenging economic times and could not contribute as usual.
Teen Times depends solely on financial sponsorship to host its events. The proceeds from the events funds the subsequent prizes. However, when sponsorship is non-existent, proceeds go to paying the various entities that provided a service to Teen Times in order to have the event in the first place. Talent Showdown carries a budget of approximately US $30,000.
In almost 15 years of operation, Teen Times has never been faced with such a situation. "We appreciate our long time sponsors. When they tell us honestly that the economic situation prevents them from contributing, we know it must be really serious. These are not companies that would brush us off, they gave us detailed explanations of their financial situations and we understood their position," Coordinator of Teen Times Michael Granger said.
The situation is such, he said, that winners are still waiting on prizes. "This is not something we are running from or ashamed to admit. The funds and sponsorship simply are not there at the moment. This does not mean we will renege on our responsibility and pledge. We are working deligently to award our winners what is due to them. But this is the reality of our economic situation. Raising money these days is like pulling honey from stone. We can't sugarcoat it, it is what it is," Granger said.
He went on to add that the organization's two major events "Prom Night" and "Talent Showdown" will happen this year, but will be scaled back. "We will have our events and we will try to add some new and exciting aspects to each, but our budget will be cut by more than half for each event. We have no choice but we still expect to host quality, positive, clean, fun events for our young people. We will not compromise on quality," he said.
Teen Times has taken 145 young people to New York in 6 years on educational and performing trips, the first organization to do this on St. Maarten. The organization has also opened savings accounts with US $1000 on each account for 25 winners of its talent shows in the past. In total, Teen Times has given back almost US $145,000 to its winners in 6 years with the organization holding true to its principles of non-profit.

Pelican: ---- Two armed gunmen robbed the Splash Jewelers located at the Pelican Resort next to Hollywood Casino about 5:30pm yesterday. The robbers were described as dark who escaped with a white vehicle.

The bandits crashed two of the showcases with crow bar and managed to steal a mixture of jewelry which consists of watches, rings and other jewelry. The robbers was said to be armed and was wearing masks at the time.

SMN News understands that the entire ordeal was caught on the surveillance tape. On the scene yesterday afternoon were members of the Special Armed Robbery Unit were reviewing the tape up to press time as well as taking forensic evidence at the scene. SMN News understands that the tape was not helpful to police since the two robbers were fully dressed in black clothing, had their heads covered and even wore gloves to conduct the act prior to running away from the scene.

Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said that police are busy investigating the case, Up to press time no arrests have been made.

Philipsburg:--- Commissioner of Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus would like St. Maarten students to know that her door is always open to them if they need assistance with their projects. The Commissioner recently met with VWO 6 students in her office to answer questions they had about currency once St. Maarten obtains country status. The students will use the information to complete their profile paper.

"I am especially happy to see that the senior students in exam classes have projects and papers to write pertaining constitutional change. I cannot stress how important it is for our students to be involved in the process. Afterall, what we do today, they will inherit tomorrow. My staff and I are available to our students when and if they need assistance with such projects and papers," the Commissioner said.

The Commissioner went on to compliment the school directorates and/or those who determine curriculum for putting emphasis on the constitutional process. She urged increased discussion with students about constitutional matters as the date draws closer for Country St. Maarten.

Philipsburg: --- Commissioner of Labor Sarah Wescot Williams at the weekly press briefing gave out the statistics on the newly implemented revised labor policy. She said after one full month after the implementation of the policy there were 100 new requests for labor permits. Some 92 of those requests are from exotic dancers and the other eight are for other professions.

The labor department received 39 applications for extensions. Eleven of those she said are for the management who has to pay the fee of Naf. 1,500 position and the 28 are for other professions which falls in the Naf. 800 bracket.
Wescot Williams further explained that some 56 persons registered at the labor department in search of jobs. 56 of those applicants are between the ages of 16- 24 while the other 32 are over 25 years of age. The labor department also dealt with 70 applications for advertisement.

The commissioner said some amendments in the new policy was suggested by the tripartite committee but those changes still has to go before the central committee. These changes she said is in the draft MOU which will be on the floor of the executive council. The labor commissioner said that when this MOU is completed then there would be some changes in the revised policy.

Clarity on Immigration Policy.

Asked if she is still believes that persons who are gainfully employed be registered. The commissioner said while she still believes that something in the Minister's Immigration policy is necessary on St. Maarten. She said when Justice Minister David Dick made his announcement in 2006 they had indicated to the minister that they were in agreement with the policy. Thus it is of uttermost importance that the executive council be given clarity on the matter. The labor commissioner said the policy is not fully implemented and as such they would be seeking that clarity.

She said they have already concluded that there are persons in the labor force that for some reason are not registered even though these people are considered to be part of the local labor force despite the emphasis is for locals to be hired.
The commissioner also appealed to the locals to not continue with the myth that St. Maartner's don't want to work or in certain areas. She said this was a complaint often heard of by the employers but that myth must be dismissed and the locals should go out and seek the jobs that are being advertised. She said what must be understood is that employers are looking for workers who are willing to give a fair days work for a fair days pay.

She said with the regards of the synchronization on the labor policies. Wescot-Williams said she still wants to know how these policies are going to be implemented since she understands that this policy is only partially being implemented. She said the people of St. Maarten needs clarity on this matter while there is need for the synchronization on the policy education, immigration and labor. She said in the first meetings they began looking at these issues especially the policies of the Lt. Governor with regards to registration and immigration. She said before a final conclusion on these matters are made they would have to make sure all parties understand the complications in the other areas.

Wescot Williams said they have requested meeting with the minister of justice to discuss these issues but this has not yet materialized however this would be one of the agenda points in the meetings with the Prime Minister and Governor General while on St. Maarten today.

Also to be discussed is the MOU which was drafted that has to go before the central committee. These matters she said will be tabled in the executive council sometime next week including the formalization of the tripartite committee.
The commissioner is calling on all businesses to deal with the tripartite committee so that there concerns can be addressed.

Also the to debated is the matter concerning students who completed the school system. She said there is an article that deals with this problem. She said this article states that if a student was registered for five consecutive years then they would be integrated. She said she personally asked questions concerning the students who were not registered. Wescot Williams said she is sure that this article in particular would be debated.

Questioned on the amount of backlog in labor permits the commissioner said there was indeed some pending but she could not give a figure on the exact amount that is pending. Asked if she believed if that amount is in the close proximity of 1900 the commissioner said she would be surprised to hear that since she estimated that it was close to 30 or so.

 

Philipsburg: --- A young man who moved to Holland after the slaying of 14 year old Akeem Lake was arrested in Holland two weeks ago as he was wanted by police on St. Maarten in connection with the killing confirmed Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein. Stein said the young man responded well to the questions they had for him and he has been released from custody.
However the unidentified young man will be one of the witnesses for the prosecution. It was understood that the youth would have been brought back to St. Maarten but an RST detective flew to Holland and questioned the Dutch Quarter youth who now resides in Holland.

Presently there are three persons in custody for the brutal killing of Lake who lived most of his young life among the gangs since he had dropped out from school at aged 11 said his father in an earlier interview with SMN News.
Two of the first five suspects have been released from police custody. The investigation into the brutal killing of the 14 year old youth involved the entire Netherlands Antilles as the prosecutors had decided to split up the suspects when they were first arrested on Front Street during a house raid. This investigation has since moved to Holland. Stein remains tightlipped on the ongoing investigation saying he does not intend to jeopardize the case. It is also understood that the case is almost close and it will soon go before the courts for trial, however, Stein said there is no court date has been set for the case since the investigation is still ongoing. The case of Akeem Lake is one of the nine unsolved murders that took place last year and is now being handled by the RST. The Dutch detectives are also busy investigating the disappearance of Leta Lynn Cordes.

The Princess Juliana International Airport Sporting Club (PJIAESC) is holding a walkathon on Saturday March 28 and literally everybody in St. Maarten is invited. The objective: something fun and healthy for the airport community and the St. Maarten community in general. Simultaneously it will serve as a registration drive for the Sporting Club.
After a short dormancy, the Sporting Club since last year has a new board, comprising PJIAE employees Evans Marsham as president, Robert Brown as Vice President, Melba Zabala as Secretary, Migdala Artsen-Clarinda as Assistant Secretary, Michael Lake as Treasurer and Anastacio Baker as Assistant Treasurer, with Angelo Brill, Rene Guishard, Emile Levons and Duncan van Heyningen as Members. The organization's objective is to organize, promote and enlarge the practice of sports and recreation, in particular among the workers at the airport.
"We have a lot of plans for 2009; the most important one being to register as many people in the airport community as members of the PJIAESC," said Club President Evans Marsham. Club Secretary Melba Zabala stressed that members do not just have to be PJIAE employees. "This is a club for all workers at the airport, so we want everybody who works for the airlines, handlers and even the concessionaires to join us," she said.
Marsham said the benefits of membership will be the enhanced social relationships between airport workers. "And members will be able to partake in every activity we organize," he said. "We're also planning trips to socialize with clubs on other islands, so our members will be able to take part in those activities too."
The board members said that even though the response to their efforts to get more members has so far been a bit disappointing, that doesn't deter them; the walkathon of March 28 speaks for their determination to succeed.
The walk will take participants from the Raoul Illidge sports complex next to the St. Maarten Medical Center, to the Princess Juliana International Airport. The walkathon will start at 5.00am. The Red Cross has already indicated that they are taking part; police escort has been requested to help guide the walkers through the early morning traffic.
Tickets are already for sale by board members; interested persons can call either the Club President (Marsham) at 5220452 or the Secretary (Zabala) at 5803049. The tickets cost US$ 10. "For that the participants will get a T-shirt and at the finish line at the airport, a light breakfast will be served," said Zabala. Also, club members will be going around with registration forms, to sign up airport workers for membership right away.
The board members called on everybody to take part. "We did a similar walk a few years ago -which started at the Harbor- and it was a lot of fun," said Marsham. "This will be fun too. And it's going to be a healthy early morning walk."

Philipsburg:--- The 12 year old Starlight Education student who field a report with the court of guardianship will be sent back to Jamaica this Saturday to be with her father. SMN News understands that the child was sent back to her mother who placed her at her aunt's house temporarily since the mother is still living with the man she accused of raping her. The teenage girl returned to her relatives since last Tuesday and she has not attended school since then.
The minor child and her mother and other siblings are residing on St. Maarten illegally however; the only person that will be leaving the island is the victim in this case.
In an interview with head of the court of guardianship Joel Arrindell and the Social Worker handling the case said they advised the mother to send the child with her father who also has legal custody over the child. Arrindell said the mother of the girl is still legally married and her husband resides in Jamaica.
Arrindell said that the mother is the legal custodian of the 12 year old and she has the right to decide where her daughter must live. He said since the child is accusing her stepfather of molesting her and he lives at the house they do not believe it would be safe for the child to stay in the same house, reasons why they advised the mother to send her to her father since the child mother cannot guarantee her safety.

Arrindell further explained that even though the child will be sent back to Jamaica they would still be following the case. He said his office will make contact with their international partners and notify them why the young girl was sent back to Jamaica.
Arrindell said the police conducted the investigations and it is the police who have to determine if the suspect will be prosecuted. He further explained that the child was taken to the doctor and it has been determined that the youth is sexually active. However, he cannot say for how long the teenage girl is sexually active and with whom she is actively involved.
In the meantime, Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said the child can indeed leave the island. He said that it is the judge of instruction who decided to released the suspect S.N. Stein said his office has not taken a decision as to if they will prosecute the suspect. "I do not even know if we have enough to take this case to court." Stein said.

Philipsburg: ---A French white woman is now in police custody for pick pocketing. The woman A.M.S aged 30 was caught by members of the Soualiga Team on Tuesday shortly after she had picked the pocket of a 73 year old vendor on the Market place. The victim E. B told police that the theft took place during the mid-day hours.
The theft took place while E.B. was selling her items and at an unguarded moment, the thief snatched a one hundred dollar bill from out the pocket of her pants and ran off.
The saleslady event though she was not feeling well ran behind the white woman pick pocketter and when the alert members of the Soualiga team noticed the commotion, they apprehended the thief when she was just about to hitch a ride.
The tired sales-lady told police that while chasing the thief she fell down twice but got back up, and continue the chase on foot, she was determined not to allow the thief escape with her hard earn money especially in these difficult times.

In another unrelated robbery police spokesman Johan Janchi Leonard in a police press release said bandits stole a generator, tools and other items on the property of a construction site located on the A.Th. Illidge road. The owner reported the theft on Tuesday morning, he told police that it was during the night hours a gray coloured generator, several tools and several boxes of tiles were stolen.

Philipsburg - Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams met with Harold Robinson, the Director of the United Nations Population Fund Sub-Region office for the Caribbean mutually interesting matters.

UNFPA is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.

UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programs to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

The objective of Mr Robinson's visit to St Maarten was a fact-finding mission. The Caribbean sub-region office has worked with the Netherlands Antilles but never directly with St Maarten.

In light of the upcoming constitutional changes, it is important to look at where we can collaborate with regards to issues pertaining to population and development, poverty, sexual & reproductive health, and gender equality, Commissioner Wescot-Williams said.

While on the island Mr Robinson met with:
 the Department of Economic Policy and Research, represented by Ms Lucy Gibbes;
 the Department of Civil Registry, represented by Mrs Leona Marlin;
 the Sector Health Care Affairs, represented by Ms Maria Henry/Ms Fenna Arnell;
 the Program Management Team for HIV/Aids, represented by Mr Cornelius De Weever;
 the Section Youth Affairs, represented by Mrs Shermina Powell-Richardson;
 the Section Community Development, represented Mrs Aida Boyrard-Holaman;
 the Program & Project Bureau, represented by Ms Richelda Emmanuel;
 Gender organizations, represented by Mrs Cassilda v/d Neut;
 Women's Desk/ Community Development, represented by Ms Joy Arnell;

The meetings were considered a success. It was acknowledged that proper population research and data collection were key factors for future policy development and that the various Departments were in need of assistance to properly take up these tasks.

As such it was determined that UNFPA would be able to provide technical assistance and capacity training with aspects of population and migration dynamics, SRH and gender data collection and analysis, poverty assessments and policy development.

UNFPA will carry out a more in-depth mission as early as the beginning of May and the expectation is that various project agreements with the various stakeholders will follow.

Philipsburg: --- Delano Richardson former head of VROM who was fired from his job after the developer of Blue Mall Luis Goya provided the island government with a taped conversation which suggests that Richardson attempted to extort monies from the businessman for his building permit is now calling on authorities to conduct an indebt investigation into the department. Richardson made the call in an exclusive interview on "In-depth with Andrew Bishop" which aired last night throughout the Caribbean region and St. Maarten/ St. Martin.

The former VROM head said while much blame is casted at the department of VROM or ROB the Lt. Governor and Island Secretary is equally responsible for the years of corruption that is taking place at the department since the signatures of both these persons are on these licenses. He said that while the processing of the building permits is a lengthy one the director of ROB is fully responsible for each license since he is the one that signs off on the licenses whether or not it is under the Naf. 500, 000 mark. Another point he made is that one has to know the inspectors of VROM is the eyes of the department.
Richardson said he intends to clear his name since he was framed by the island government who considered him a threat to their political agendas. Richardson said just three months after he was hired the former commissioner of ROB Roy Marlin in the presence of the director told him he was a liability to government and he was also standing in the way of their campaign monies. He said the director even told him if he did not do what he expected him to then he would send a letter to the executive council that either fire him or set him aside so he can rot. He also condemned Marlin for statements he is allegedly making in the public. "Marlin is now saying that ‘pay back is a bitch and then you die" Richardson said. He said the statement is beyond his comprehension since Marlin is the one who recruited him from Holland.
The ousted former head said he lodged several complaints with the governor and he did nothing about the corruption which has been taking place for the past 30 years. He said that he was prevented by government to execute his duties over the one year and ten months he was there at VROM. He said he cannot imagine how the island government would go after him they way they are even though there has been years of corruption at the department.
Richardson also indicated that his mother spoke to the governor on his behalf and the governor failed to act. Richardson went on to say that the director of ROB told him that he did not want him in the position he held rather he was looking for someone who could have played ball with the politicians.
On the question as to what really took place when he met with Goya, Richardson suggested that he was drugged with a glass of wine. He said when he got out of the meeting he began vomiting but never sought medical attention. Delano Richardson said that he met with Goya to discuss what is known as the landmark project. He said his intention was to take a leave of absence from government to work on the project.
Richardson further explained that his mother also listened to the tape and her remark was he was describing government officials as whores. He said his mother also indicated to him that the island government would have done what is necessary to get rid of him.

Richardson explained it is a pity that the island government would go at length to slander locals who have studied abroad and returned home. He made clear that he never accepted any bribe from anyone since that his not his character. He said his first priority is to make sure his name is cleared and taking care of his family.

Philipsburg: --- Responding to questions posed to her concerning statements made by Minister of Education Omyra Leeflang. Education commissioner Sarah Wescot Williams said she already requested to meet with the Minister since would need some explanations on the statements the Minister made last week concerning the implementation of compulsory education. Leeflang had said there are monies available to St. Maarten for the introduction of compulsory education and she felt these monies should be used to build more schools. Wescot Williams said she would not be going into details on the matter since she noticed several ministers and the island government is busy speaking at each other and not to each other. She said even though she was aware that the Minister would be visiting schools and meeting with several stakeholders she was not aware if there was meeting with her and the minister. Wescot Williams said for this reason she requested a meeting with the Minister and other school officials. She said she is hoping that the Minister would clarify her statements and she would then use the opportunity to provide the Minister with additional and new information with respect to what St. Maarten is doing in the education sector and the plans they have. She said she needs to know where St. Maarten has monies lying around since is simply not the case. Wescot Williams said based on the education cooperation agreement the island has submitted their programs for funding.
She said one pillar of the program is compulsory education while another one is the social formation which is also part of the proposed funding for St. Maarten. The island leader and education commissioner said she does not believe the minister has all the relevant information regarding St. Maarten and she hopes to share the information with her.
Quincy Harrigan said additionally the executive council forwarded a letter to the minister just over a month ago informing her of the island's plans regarding compulsory education. In this letter the cost of implementing compulsory education was mentioned as well as the additional funding that would be needed. He said even though the minister is saying there is funding available for the implementation of compulsory education the minister has not responded to their letter. The Minister of Education is expected to arrive on St. Maarten today for the UNESCO meetings.

Philipsburg- Interim Department Head of the Government Information Service (GIS) Rodney Richardson, announced on Wednesday that the GIS will introduce a half hour public information program to premier on Friday, March 20 on St. Maarten Cable TV channel 15.
The first program will have as its guests Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams and airs at 7.00 pm. Program host is Cedric Peterson.
According to Peterson, inside government presents a series of interactive, information led, exclusive forums and events designed for the general public of St. Maarten.
The program helps key government representatives inform and be informed on the main issues of the day, in an environment designed to generate discussion, debate and sharing of vital information.
Inside Government will be aired on Friday's at 7.00pm. The magazine style program will draw together elected officials, policy-makers, experts and practitioners to bring tele-viewers speakers who have a wide range of knowledge and experience. Each program will provide ample opportunity for guests to interact and discuss the topics of the day.
Inside Government builds strategic relationships with a cross-section of the key players from all the sectors to ensure that the program is on the pulse and meet the needs of the citizens of St. Maarten, providing a unique insight into current government agendas.
Starting on Monday, March 23, Marsha Gumbs-Beauperthuy will be the face of the half an hour GIS Bulletin which will start airing on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 15 at 7.00pm.
The Bulletin is a news program that covers current events and new developments within Government by informing and educating the general public.

...

The losses of world airlines in 2009 are likely to exceed the USD$2.5 billion forecast previously, as the global economic crisis eats up passenger and cargo traffic, an industry body said on Thursday.
"Our last industry forecast made in December was for a USD$2.5 billion loss in 2009 based on a 3 percent fall in passenger demand and a 5 percent demand in cargo," said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
"This is now looking very optimistic and next week we will issue a revised forecast," he told reporters.
IATA, which represents 230 airlines said earlier this month world airlines lost up to USD$8 billion last year, far more than the USD$5 billion previously estimated.
In January, international passenger demand fell 5.6 percent year-on-year, following a 4.6 percent decline in December, according to IATA. February numbers are to be released next week.
Cargo volumes in January fell 23.2 percent year-on-year after December's 22.6 percent decline, the eighth consecutive month of contraction for freight traffic.
Bisignani said while economy travel demand has also slumped in response to the global financial crisis, a much faster decline in the premium segment, which airlines depend on for their bottom line, was hurting more.
"Business classes are empty. The airlines make money in the front and recover the cost on economy, and when the business class disappears, it's a big problem," he said.
Airlines around the world have been battered severely by the global financial crisis and have unveiled a slew of cost-cutting measures to stay afloat. Asian carriers have been worst hit.
Singapore Airlines, the world's biggest airline by market value, last week asked staff to take unpaid leave for up to two years in a bid to reduce costs.
The Singapore carrier, which last month announced plans to cut its capacity by 11 percent and has grounded 17 of its 100-plus aircraft, had already asked pilots at its cargo arm to volunteer for unpaid leave.
Cathay Pacific, the dominant airline of Hong Kong and Asia's fifth-largest carrier by market value, which reported a record USD$1 billion second-half loss recently, said last week it could sell some assets to raise cash.
Bisignani said he expected more capacity cuts by airlines across the world to adjust to slowing demand.
"You see further capacity cuts practically every week in different parts of the world. We have to try to adjust capacity to demand," he said.
(Reuters)

Philipsburg: --- Leader of Government and Commissioner of Education Sarah Wescot Williams met with Education Minister Omyra Leeflang yesterday. The commissioner said while there are a number of issues to be discussed she intends to speak about compulsory education while bringing the minister up to date on other matters. She said she intends to inform the minister on the implementation of compulsory education and how far the island is on the matter.

Wescot Williams said another issue she needs to address is the fact the minister intends to meet with school boards regarding the current Foundation Based Education (FBE). She said while the minister would be addressing the current laws on FBE St. Maarten has been discussing the education laws for country St. Maarten with these school boards, based on this fact she said these meetings needs to be co-coordinated so that the people they are addressing would fully understand the issues at hand.

Philipsburg: --- Even though all of the workers of GEBE did not show their faces during the protest action organized by the United Federation Union (UFA) which lasted just over three hours yesterday morning, those that remained inside the building did not provide services to the public as people were seen waiting outside to pay their utility bills. Those that remained inside the building clearly sat in groups discussing their grievances.
The Commercial Manager of GEBE Steve Duzanson in an invited comment said GEBE operations were not affected yesterday despite the protest action which drew close to 100 workers from all departments.

President of the UFA and their legal advisor Attorney at law Edwin Maduro told reporters that after speaking to the managing director of GEBE William Brooks in the company's parking lot they already foresee that the union would have to take their grievances to court. Olivachi said Brooks admitted to the workers that the second agreement he had with GEBE management and UFA is not binding since there is only one signature on it. That document is a proposal which was to be taken to the UFA board so that they could have given before they pay the workers their 5%. Brooks also indicated to the union that he was willing to enter into a re-negotiation which was to begin immediately. Olivachi said that Brooks already agreed to pay the workers by April 5th but the union must sign a third document.

Asked to provide clarity on the matter since the UFA and management of GEBE already has a CLA since 2006. Olivacchi said a court case in the matter is visible if management refused to comply with the 2006 CLA. He said even though he signed a second document it is not binding since the UFA bylaws clearly stated that at least two board members of the UFA must sign off on any agreement. He said while they are going into negotiations with management of GEBE it is not to re-negotiate a new CLA or agreement, instead they are sticking to the 2006 CLA now that Brooks has changed his position.

Advisor to the UFA Edwin Maduro said Brooks changed his position based on the second document that was signed by Francis Olivachi and GEBE management since he realized the document is not binding. He said Brooks now wants to begin negotiations for a second CLA which he considered to be a positive indication since the workers has not yet indicated they are on action. Maduro said he intended to send Brooks an official letter to make sure he lives up to the open compromises he made today (Monday).
Maduro explained if there is a deadlock in the negotiations then the union and its members would declare industrial action.
Maduro said while the negotiation is ongoing workers of GEBE would resume working effective immediately.

In the discussions with the workers and the union Brooks told the workers that the second agreement had to be sent to the supervisory board. He said that the contents of the agreement were to show the board what they agreed upon which is the 5% payment. He said that agreement was not binding. Brooks also asked the union to go inside and sign the third agreement but the workers immediately intervened by saying they are not in agreement and their union would not sign anything. Brooks said the supervisory board agreed to pay off and now the union must sign a third agreement before workers are to be paid. In the parking lot confrontation Olivachi made clear that the union does not have to sign anymore documents since it is in their CLA of 2006. Brooks said while he agreed that is on the CLA it was not based on the old protocol of GEBE and not the existing one. He said he explained this to Olivachi on numerous occasions. However, Olivachi said there was an exception in the CLA which calls for the evaluation of the workers which GEBE did not comply with unless the company will face a 3% penalty. Brooks appealed to the union to come in and negotiate so that they can get over the hurdle of the 5%. He told the workers they elected the union to represent them and while the negotiation is taking place he expected them to go back to work.

The General Manager of GEBE William Brooks openly displayed his arrogance while discussing with the union and its members that created several outburst from both union and workers. Some of the workers made clear that they are there to get their 5% increase which is long overdue. They made clear to the union representatives that they are not to sign anything else except the payment. They told their representatives that Brooks cannot bind the union to anything since he is not running a "one man show".

Denis Salomon from the ASWI union told reporters who were eventually kicked off GEBE premises that the protest action was organized by the UFA even though his members have the same grievances. Salomon said the staff union ASWI is in solidarity with the UFA since they are having the same problems with management of GEBE. Salomon said he needed clarity with some of the statements that were made the parties involved. He said management should respect and honor the collective labor agreement. He said even though he supports the action he does not believe that the action taken would move management of GEBE. Salomon explained he worked for years at GEBE and based on his experience he does not see where they show any concerns for the workers. However, he said he would hope that management would use their common sense and not allow confrontation to prevail since the workers have had enough.

President of the UFA Francis Olivacchi said that the workers have been looking forward to their increase and cost of living adjustment since the UFA and management of GEBE signed a collective labor agreement since 2006. Olivacchi said so far management has not complied with the agreement and that has caused them to pay a penalty since they are not in full compliance with the CLA. Olivacci said GEBE had to provide an appraisal system for its workers each year and to date they have not done so. He said the workers even sent a proposal for their new CLA to the managing director William Brooks and to date Brooks has not responded to the workers. Olivachi said in the new proposal the workers wants a 25% increase and Brooks he said refused to send a counter proposal to the ASWI.
He made clear that the workers are not on strike and neither are they on go-slow but they have decided to demand the monies that is owed to them for over three years now.
Olivacci said even though there is inflation and economic crisis GEBE is yet to pay the workers it cost of living adjustment. Asked how long the union plans to wait on management he said he was not willing to divulge that information. He warned that the union has plan B in place but that will be made known in due time.

Sources close to the two unions UFA and ASWI said this is the last chance for William Brooks since they would do what is necessary to get him off the job. They said Brooks has not been working in the best interest of the company neither the people of St. Maarten. They said since Brooks took over their have been a number of problems with GEBE including when the company of that magnitude ran out of fuel and he hopped off island. The concerned workers said Brooks does not even show respect to them since he has a selected few in his corner who already received a Naf. 3000 increase in their
In a press release from GEBE it is said the employees converge on the request of their union. The release states a group of some 30 GEBE workers led by UFA President, Francis Olivacci, converged on the GEBE parking lot on Monday morning, to address the issue of the impasse on the negotiations concerning the financial package for the period 2008. GEBE Managing Director Ir. William Brooks was in attendance to directly address the workers and the union representatives and give additional clarification where the bottleneck is in the financial package that is holding back the payment to the employees. The proposed increase of 5% has been approved by the GEBE supervisory board of directors. GEBE management is ready to sign the agreement and the union has been notified accordingly in writing. The union wants time to go back to their members and the UFA board to ratify and formally sign on the proposed financial package.
The discussions which took place in the GEBE parking lot were informative for both sides and narrowed the gap between management and the employees. The union has agreed to reconvene and study the proposal. A response from the union is expected within short. GEBE management has committed to payout the 5% increase as soon as the union signs the formal agreement.
After the explanations on both sides were given, the workers who had converged at the main office returned to their workstations. GEBE daily operations were not seriously affected by this short convergence and at no point was electricity nor water supply affected. GEBE looks forward to a quick resolution to this issue in the interest of the customers, the employees and the company.

PHILIPSBURG-A short circuit in the main feeder cable leading to the GEBE Substation in Zagersgut resulted in a short power outage that affected a significant part of the island.
Power was restored quickly to most areas, as the technicians worked diligently at locating and repairing the damage to the feeder cable.
The load from the faulty feeder cable was redistributed to other feeder cables to limit the inconvenience to the public as much as possible.
GEBE crews will continue to work through the night to repair the damaged cable and completely restore power to all affected customers. The exact cause of the short circuit has not yet been determined as technicians focused on repairs and restoring power. GEBE apologizes to its customers for the unscheduled interruption to service.

Professor Dr. Carl Lejuez, Ph. D. paid a courtesy visit to Lt. Gov. Mr. Franklin Richards and Com. Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, escorted by Mr. Mathias Voges, And Jessica Hodge-Aventurin.

 

Philipsburg: ---- Accompanied by his wife and several family members including his personal secretary chief commissioner of police Derrick Holiday looked confident as he appeared before the three panel judge for his appeal hearing yesterday.

The case which was scheduled to begin at 11 am started on time as the three judges entered the court room just about a minute ahead of time. Holiday seated next to his lawyer Jori Essed seemed relaxed and confident. The chief commissioner of police was questioned by all three judges pertaining to the re-entry permits he issued while being chief of police. He responded to each question giving careful and clear explanations about the type of forms that was used mainly during the grace period. On many occasions Holiday used his hands as he made gestures during his explanations. At times the judges as well as those in the tribune would chuckle.
Holiday was charged and convicted for signing at least 43 immigration re-entry permits which was designed by former and convicted commissioner or police Marcel Loor. Holiday insisted that the forms were not unlawful since they were not different from those in the NAVAS system. He said as Chief of Police he had the authority to sign these forms.

Holiday was also questioned about his renting contract and the house rent allowances that were paid to his uncle Donald Hughes. His attorney dissected every aspect of the case which called for a recess and continuation after lunch. Essed told reporters during the recess that he was confident in the panel of judges since he saw that they had a broad knowledge of the case, this he said made both him and his client more confident.
The prosecution demanded one year suspended prison sentence and a five year ban from the Police Force of the Netherlands Antilles.

Holiday contended that the Minister of Justice acted in conspiracy when he removed him from his office since he knew he Holiday was to be arrested. He said the Minister of Justice David Dick had mentioned this to the island leader Sarah Wescot Williams prior to him being arrested.
Holiday said the Minister had told him he had practical reasons for removing him from his office since he thought he was protecting his career. He said the Minister even suggested through a lawyer that he resign some thing he refused to do. He said his arrest, prosecution and conviction was to prove that St. Maarten was not ready for its new status since the chief commissioner of police is corrupt.

As for the rental subsidy that he collected while living in his own home, Holiday said the Minister had promised him if he repaid the monies he would not have been prosecuted. He said he did repay the monies and yet he was charged with fraud.

Philipsburg- Head of the Census Office Leona Marlin, would like to remind residents especially seniors, that the old St. Maarten identity cards (ID) will no longer be valid as of April 1.

Persons are hereby reminded to visit the Census Office before April 1 to turn in their old ID cards and replace it with the new credit card size cards that were introduced several years ago.

The administrative cost for a new ID card is Naf.35 and for senior citizens (60+) Naf.15.

The ID card is legal proof of identity. It is used to open bank accounts or other types of services that requires some form of identification.

The ID card is also a required document for some government procedures and services.

The law requires that a person carries some form of identification with them at all times and the ID card is the handiest one and preferred method of formal identification.

Failure to produce the card may result in being denied access to premises or attainment of goods and services.

Those who require further information can call the Census Office at: 542-2457 or 542-5375.

St. Peters:-- A suspicious burglary took place at the Starlight Education Center on Wednesday night. Director of the school Carmen Hodge alerted members of the media and the police about 8 am on Thursday morning saying this is the third time intruders are breaking into her school mainly the office. Police took over three hours to respond to the scene even the students and teachers of the school were waiting patiently for the patrols or detectives to arrive.
When the patrols arrived at 11 am they entered the office and noticed that all computers, printers, fax and copiers were in place however the intruders fumbled through all the files and folders.
Hodge said the culprits broke the padlock on the backdoor from where the gained entry to the building. While inside the thieves took off a glass window to enter her office. While inside it was clear the persons who broke into the school was not regular thief since all the appliances were in place. However, the bandits searched all folders and files as if they were looking for specific documents.
Hodge said that it has been sometime now certain government offices has been calling her requesting certain documents and she did not turn over those documents to the government departments.
The Starlight Education has been in a long battle with the island government trying to secure subsidy to maintain the school that is providing education for nearly 200 undocumented students. The case of Starlight Education was taken to Holland and it was even mentioned during the Geneva Convention earlier this year. Good to note the Minister of Education Omyra Leeflang in a press conference announced that she was visiting the island at the end of this month and she plans to be looking into the situation regarding the school and the island government who is compelled to implement compulsory education.

...

CAY BAY-A fault in the DC voltage control system at the Cay Bay power plant caused a total blackout on St. Maarten early Sunday morning. The blackout lasted a total of nine hours. GEBE power plant technicians were on the scene working frantically to locate the fault. Pinpointing the exact location of the fault proved to be extremely difficult and took several hours of intense troubleshooting.
At the same time, a separate crew of mechanics was busy repairing one of the main startup generators that had failed in the process to ensure that once the problem had been fixed, the power plant would be up and running as soon as possible. That crew discovered that the air pressure needed to start up the generators had dropped to extremely low levels. Increasing the air pressure to the required level of approximately 60 bars proved to be extremely challenging. At approximately 2:00 p.m., the air pressure was restored to acceptable levels and the process of systematically restarting the engines and bringing them online could begin.
Restoring power to the St. Maarten Medical Center was GEBE's first priority. Power was restored to this area at approximately 2:30 p.m., followed by other high priority areas such as the Cay Bay water plant and police stations. By 5 p.m. almost all areas on St. Maarten had electricity.
GEBE would like to extend its sincere apologies to the community of St. Maarten for the unexpected and lengthy interruption in service.

Philipsburg:--- The investigating team that are busy investigating the brutal murder of Stanley Orlando Gumbs whose lifeless body was found on March 31 2008 around 02:15 am outside of Crystal Bar (better known as Fefe's Bar) is calling on the general public to provide them with much needed information.

In a press release Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said the case of Gumbs who was killed by gunshot wounds are being investigated by detectives of the RST, KPSSS and KPC.
Stein said based on statements given by witnesses it is said right after the gunshots were heard they noticed white jeep- like car drove away from the scene. The Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands said the people in that vehicle could serve as important witnesses. Thus the investigating team is urging these people or any other witnesses to come forward and help solve the case of Stanley Orlando Gumbs. Persons who have information can contact the RST at telephone number 54-28761.
Already the officers have at least one person in custody as a suspect in the killing. Stanley Orlando Gumbs is the Census office employee who was shot to death last year. In an effort to get the much needed information the Public Prosecutor's office even sent out a press release in Spanish requesting the public to come forward with more information.

Philipsburg:--- Management of Office World have made a donation of Naf.100,000 towards education for their 20th anniversary says the company's director Naresh Daryanani at a press conference yesterday with commissioner of Education Sarah Wescot Williams. Daryanani would be leaving the island today where he would order the type of school furniture that is needed for St. Maarten schools. He said the materials should be on the island within the next three months and will be presented to the education department who would then distribute them to the schools that needs it most. The local businessman said this the way he chose to give back the community who has supported him over the past 20 years. St. Maarten stands to benefit half of the monies that are allocated, while the other neighboring islands such as Anguilla and St. Kitts would share the feast.
Daryanani said he is grateful that the island government has accepted his offer of one container load of classroom furniture.
Director of the education department Quincy Harrigan said the materials would be needed for the compulsory education which is to be implanted next school year. He said his office has been in contact with Office World where they have accepted the offer given to them. The materials he said will be used mainly in cycle one and two classrooms where the focus is placed on FBE education. Harrigan said the schools that stand to benefit are the public schools and those funded by the island government of St. Maarten.
Commissioner of Education Sarah Wescot Williams said she delighted that both the department and Office World was able to reach an agreement based on the offer given to government. She said that the company and the department had to agree on the type of classroom materials that is needed on St. Maarten since FBE requires special types of furniture. The commissioner thanked the businessman for the gesture he made towards education. She said his offer could not have come at a better time since the island is busy implementing compulsory education.
Wescot Williams said she hoped other businesses would follow the footsteps of Office World since this shows good cooperate citizenship and education she said would continue to grow as they try to implement compulsory education. Even though the island is faced with serious economic times she commended the company for keeping their promise by making the gesture possible. She said she did not consider the gift as a small one, thus she extended best wishes to the company on their 20th anniversary.

CAY BAY-The activities surrounding the expansion of the GEBE power plant in Cay Bay is continuing at a brisk pace with the planned completion date scheduled for April 2010. The foundations are being laid for the new building that will house the power generating equipment. Construction will continue throughout the year as the preparations continue for installation of the two new diesel generators.
The new Wartsila engines, a total investment of US$33 million, will bring an additional capacity of 22.6 MW of power generation, increasing the power plant capacity from 72 MW to 94 MW. With a large number of development projects on the island in various stages of planning, building and finalization, GEBE must continue expanding its capacity to ensure an adequate supply to the island community.
Once the generators are installed, the GEBE power plant will be able to run solely on heavy fuel oil. This combined with the larger capacity of heavy fuel oil engines will allow management to retire the smaller engines, some of which are almost 40 years old. The smaller engines are less efficient and run on light fuel oil, and are therefore more expensive to operate. This will reduce GEBE's fuel bill and the savings will be passed on to the customer.
Another major benefit of the new engines will be that they are radiator-cooled, making them more reliable especially in times of high seas such as after the passing of hurricanes.
The time between the point of ordering a new generator, installing and commissioning the engine is approximately two years. Therefore long term planning is needed to gauge the level of growth on the island and the projected electricity demand.
Although the economic crisis may be slowing some developments, GEBE has reserved space in the new engine building for a third generator in the event that the island continues to develop at its current pace. The projections for electricity demand over the coming five years may necessitate the purchase of a new generator before any renewable energy projects, such as geothermal energy in Saba, are established. Since GEBE has the obligation to provide any and every customer with power, the company cannot risk not having enough electricity to supply the community of St. Maarten.

Philipsburg- Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, met with Reda Sosial Director Herman George and the Small Business Development Foundation (SBDF) recently.

George was given an update on the advancement of the Entrepreneurship Training Courses that are presently being implemented by the SBDF and funded via Reda Sosial.

During the meeting George also indicated that there are still funds reserved for entrepreneurship development for St. Maarten and advised that the island should continue to tap into this for small business development.

Commissioner Buncamper was in complete agreement with this and fully understands that the micro, small and medium size business sector are the backbone of the nation's economy and any funds that are available will be fully utilized in order to continue to develop the nation's economy especially in these challenging times due to the global economic-financial crisis.

Buncamper therefore welcomes this development and gave her commitment to support a proposal to tap into the funds.

The project which was submitted by SBDF on Wednesday will be evaluated by Reda Sosial and recommendations will be forwarded to the Executive Council with respect to the commitment required from the Island Government before the process can be finalized.

French Quarter:--- State Secretary for Overseas Territories Yves Jego told the Territorial Council mainly Pierre Allioti to look for durable projects which can bring monies to the Collectivity of St. Martin on his working visit here last week. Jego made the statements after Allioti was making a power point presentation at the community council in French Quarter outlining the amount of projects the Territorial Council has planned for the next two years.
It is understood that the presentation which was extremely boring and only pertains to the amount of monies the COM would need from the State apparently got on the state secretary nerves that he literally stopped the process and indicated that even though the State is willing to help the COM has a role to play.
SMN News understands that Jego informed the COM that they need to look for projects that are environmentally friendly and those that can pump monies back into the coffers of the COM. Jego also indicated that government cannot take loans to pay the salaries of workers instead they need to invest wisely. He added that the COM has monies and they need to begin using those monies in the interest of the island.

The elaborate decorations and huge bouquets that was at the Collectivity for the 4th Vice President Louis Jeffy wedding and arrival of the Sate Secretary on Thursday sure did not miss Jego's  eyes, it is said Jego immediately noticed there is a gross misapproiation of government monies and he found a way to let the elected know just that in his address at the community council meeting.

This reporter also learnt that several persons in the community expressed their discontentment to the State Secretary when he met with the population on the Waterfront on Friday morning.

SMN News also received a few emails from several prominent persons in the community who are enraged at the elected officials namely President Frantz Gumbs who allowed the use of people's money to celebrate Jeffry's wedding on Thursday. One writer said the COM pretended they were decorating the COM for the arrivail of the State Secretary when in fact they were doing it for the marriage of the vice president who got married to the president's secretary. The concern citizen in his email said already the new bride is using the vehicle of the Vice president and now husband. The concern citizen said Jeffry who is eager to get the president seat may very well get that position if the Territorial Council has to reelect a president since the August 7 presidential election procedures were illegal.  If this happens then the "new" and possible president would have his wife as his secreatry.

 

Marigot: --- Despite it was a joint meeting with members of the Island Council and the Territorial Council yesterday President Frantz Gumbs did not think it was important enough to speak at press conference yesterday midday. Reporters were disappointed with Gumbs who simply said he agreed with everything that leader of government Sarah Wescot Williams said despite not hearing her comments.

Wescot Williams described the meeting as informative while she confirmed that there are going to be follow up meetings in the future. The island leader said members of the Central Committee met with the Territorial Council where they address at least one of the two main issues which are the constitutional developments on both sides of the island. She said both councils made presentations on the topic while they were not able to deal with other issue which is the economical development on each side. "There was so much to talk about on the Constitutional process that we had to put off the economical issue which would deal with the stimulus package for the next meeting." Wescot Williams said.

Wescot Williams also confirmed that there are a number of meetings taking place between the two sides on a technical level. She said it is important for elected officials to be briefed on the ongoing meetings. The idea she said is for them to get feedback and see if there is need to clear up any stumbling blocks and if necessary take decisions on these technical meetings.
Some of the issues discussed during the technical meetings are a general water and drainage system, policing. She explained that a high level meeting that was to be held on March 18 had to be adjourned and it is expected that this meeting will be held on the near future even though there is no date set yet for the next meeting.

Asked if there were confrontations during the meeting which ran over time, Wescot Williams said there were no confrontations, however, she explained that the structure of the territorial council is much different that the executive council. That difference she said is the fact members of the opposition is on the executive council while that is not the case for the Dutch side EXCO. Attending yesterday's meeting were five members of the eleven member council; they are Wescot Williams, Buncamper Molanus and Petrus de Weever, while Councilman Samuel and Illidge represented the National Alliance faction.
Yesterday's meeting was the first for the year between elected officials. A press release from GIS stated that President Gumbs in his opening remarks said the two sides are so close yet so far as he referred to the level of cooperation that existed between the two administrations. The meeting was long overdue and much had to be discussed, especially in terms of agriculture, fisheries, tourism, sea ports, education, constitutional developments, crime, taxation, governmental policies, development of statistical units, and other mutually beneficial areas that need urgent attention and that must be shared experiences so that we learn from each other, said President Gumbs. Chairman of the Central Committee Leroy De Weever said he wants to establish a bi-monthly or quarterly meeting so that these issues which is mutual interest. Also present at the meeting was Senator Louis Constant Fleming who gave an explanation on how the French side attained its new status, while Wescott Williams explained the plight of the constitutional developments and the current situation on the Dutch side.

Philipsburg-----The police force KPSSS will be launching a massive recruitment drive on Tuesday March 31 2009 in front of the Philipsburg Police Station. The opening of the first ever massive recruitment to take place locally will be done by the Minister of Justice David Dick. Expected to be part of the event are students from all Secondary Schools on the island including their parents. Coordinators for the recruitment drive are Chief Inspector Carl John and Inspector Ricardo Henson.

Henson said so far they will be accepting applications from everyone that are interested in joining the police force since the force is greatly understaffed. Applicants must be 17 years six months to 29 years old and must have a good command of the Dutch language.
Persons who already have some sort of knowledge of law enforcement can also apply. Those applicants he said can be as old as 35 years of age.

Asked if applicants have to be able to speak Papiamento Henson said that is not compulsory. He further explained that all classes at the Police Academy in Curacao are conducted in the Dutch language, thus it is mandatory for the applicants to have good command of the Dutch language if they are to succeed in passing their examinations.

The police spokesman and coordinator said they already have a group of six persons who are expected to leave St. Maarten early in April where they would join another group of persons in Bonaire.

AIRPORT: In 2008 developments in traffic at PJIA were mixed. Passenger movements amounted to 1,714,987 in 2008; that is an increase of 3.8% compared to 2007. In contrast the number of aircraft handled declined by 3.8% to 71,936 compared to 2007. As a result we at PJIAE are relatively pleased with the realized results in 2008. The development in traffic is illustrated in the graph below.

The divergent traffic data can be ascribed to the timing of the impact of the different global economic events. The decline in airline movements can be explained by the effects of the surge in oil prices as of 2005 which peaked at about $140 per barrel in 2008. This caused airlines to increase fares and fees to offset the increase in operating costs and cut capacity in an attempt to streamline operations. These developments coupled with the global economy slipping into recession, have forced airlines to rationalize their business to ensure more cost efficient operations. In 2008 the airport handled 71,936 aircraft movements, down from 74,769 in the previous year. Passenger movements on the other hand continued to grow throughout the first three quarters of 2008 (5.6%), but declined by 2.5% in the last quarter, thus starting to show the effects of the global financial and economic crisis on global passenger demand.

With the current global economic recession deepening, the outlook for 2009 remains uncertain. Current forecasts point to a decline in traffic of 5% to 12%. We at PJIAE have therefore taken and will continue taking steps to further streamline our operational expenses and to position ourselves to offset the expected fall out in business activity with the objective to successfully navigate through the difficult times ahead. Furthermore, in this period of declining demand, we consider it from a strategic perspective essential that St. Maarten and PJIAE do all that is necessary to stand out positively and maximize returns from the limited business opportunities. In particular PJIAE will continue to focus on ensuring safe and secure operations, on the one hand, and on the provision of efficient and quality services, on the other hand, with the aim of improving our competitive position.

 

Marigot: --- Union members and president of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs at a press conference yesterday said they plan to remain vigilante as they have heard the cries of the people. Gumbs said if they are to be successful the people would have to come out and support them in masses because some of the things they are fighting for can only be achieved when action is taken.

He explained while the US Imports and Royal Food Club has agreed to lower their prices by 8 to 10% for the next six months Match he said is not able to fully comply since that food chain has lost substantial amount of monies due to the strike actions in Guadeloupe and Martinique. The MOCSAM president further explained that the initiatives taken by these supermarkets are completely voluntary since there is no law to force them to do such. He further explained that St. Martin does not even have a price control system in place since there have never been any laws to regulate such in the past. Gumbs said while they are now trying to install such it would take at least six to eight months before this can be fully achieved as they would have to get a database and other technologies in place to work with.

Another suggestion from the MOCSAM is to have the smaller groceries have their prices in the US dollars since these merchants shop on the Dutch side of the island. Gumbs said already the Prefet is not in favor since the legal currency on the French side of the island is Euros. He explained that these smaller groceries already are accepting one euro to one dollar and if they are allowed to have their prices in dollars that would give the consumer more buying power since the euros is already higher than the dollar. The MOCSAM president said that St. Martin is a specific island and if there needs to be changes in the legislation then so be it and those that are elected should get it done so that the people on the French side can have more buying power.

Gumbs further explained that they intend to drop off their first response to the Collectivity sometime today which would highlight their grievances and analysis of the proposals given to them on February 16th. He said while the COM did not answer many of their questions the intention is that they will remain vigilante.

In the meantime the teachers union of the Lycee and other schools Dominique Lousy said that the Collectivity did not fully live up to the calendar given to them on February 16. She said several repairs that were scheduled to be conducted did not take place and as such they intend to meet with the COM to make clear the conditions at the Lycee is unacceptable. Louisy said shortly after the protest march on February 13 several persons visited the schools but now that things have calmed down they are slipping back to the normal attitude of neglect. Louisy said they met with the secretary general from the Rectorat and several of their questions were left unanswered. The regional representative she said promised to regulate the salaries of those teachers who were not paid since November last year.

But questions surrounding the departure of several teachers who would leave for other French territories leaving St. Martin students without teachers for at least half of the school year cannot go unnoticed. The unionist and teacher said that the education system on St. Martin has been neglected over the years and those elected has to take the responsibility to make sure this re ameliorated. She said teachers on the French side have to be able to cope with students that are multilingual and courses and other trainings would have to be provided. Louisy said it is unacceptable for the COM to place the blame on others doorstep since this is not what article 74 is about. She insisted that the people of St. Martin especially the Parent Teachers Association needs to come together and support the teachers in their fight for proper education.

While the union representing the hospital in the person of Julienne Fredon said that there will come a day when doctors and nurses would have to take to the streets since they are working and are not being properly compensated. Fredon said while Medicare is a must there are serious problems facing the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital which has to be addressed. However, the staff of the LC Fleming hospital is still not able to get a meeting with the ARH (Agence Regionale d' Hospitalization" since the strike in Guadeloupe does not make it any easier for them.

She said the French side Hospital was approached to provide maternity services for the St. Maarten Medical Center since that hospital are having problems with gynecologists. Fredon said according to what they are being told is that one of the gynecologists at the St. Maarten Medical Center is due to go on retirement and that hospital seems not to be able to find replacements doctors. Fredon said if the LC Fleming is to provide maternity services for the Dutch side then the LCF would definitely need more beds and other facilities to accommodate the extra work and someone would have to say how they would be compensated. She said while this s difficult task for the French hospital negotiation is presently taking place to determine how the request from the Dutch side will be handled.

Former general Manager of the Nevis operation of the St Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank, Andy Liburd has issued a strong appeal for more responsible action as the federation faces the impact of the global financial crisis. Liburd noted that responsible action by all stakeholders is critically important as St Kitts and Nevis experiences the inevitable consequences of the financial crisis currently gripping the global economy.

In an interview with this reporter, Liburd said that the reality facing the twin island federation is that they will not be spared the effects of the crisis. He added that it is essential that all stakeholders work together to withstand the current external-related shocks.

Commenting on the recent developments in the financial sector within the region, Liburd who is the Managing Director of Nevis Multi Line Services (NEMUS), pointed out "with serious concern" the developments in the Clico and Stanford Group of Companies.

He commended the relevant authorities for moving very quickly and swiftly in addressing several concerns and queries that Government had noting that the effects of these statements has untold impact that they might have for financial institutions in St Kitts and Nevis.

As a former banker and now a businessman I must say that I am pleased thus far by the relevant stakeholders including Government's approach and reaction as they seek to protect the interest of policyholders in Clico (St Kitts and Nevis).

The NEMUS MD said that the respective island governments (Nevis and St Kitts) should be commended for the significant assurances that have been given thus far and also for the several steps that will be taken to protect the pensions of those who saved and invested in institutions affected by the recent events.

Liburd also warmed what he said can be "reckless and irresponsible" statements made by the media and those holding influential positions within society. He issued a passionate appeal especially to those within the media to be careful in making pronouncements and comments regarding the strength of the federation's financial system noting that it can have either positive or negative impact.

"Too many times we see the media making statements that are baseless, inaccurate and have a significantly high sensationalized tone. however, like these financial institutions the media has an important role to play in ensuring that their comments are factual as the public on many occasions base their decisions on what the media says," he stressed.

The Former top SKNANB official warned those within society to be very careful about making and propagating what can be described as "false, inaccurate and irresponsible" comments on the status and strength of the federation's financial system.

According to Liburd, the current developments are known by all objective persons to be the direct result of global and regional events and throughout the Caribbean, Finance Ministries, Central Banks and other financial sector regulators are all grappling with the situation caused by CLICO and Stanford.

He went on to note that in Trinidad and The Bahamas, intervention and court action in relation to CLICO have become necessary while in Antigua, government intervention in the Stanford Group has also been needed.

Further, Liburd said that he welcomes the significant assurances given on the strength of St Kits and Nevis's financial system by the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Denzil Douglas and reaffirmed the call of all Kittitians and Nevisians to immediately come together so as to ensure that they protect and safeguard this strength.

Pointe Blanche: --- A Dutch Taxi Driver Perla Rombley driver of taxi 172 at a sudden press conference told members of the media that she is being harassed by one of the Dutch Taxi Driver Association (DSTA) board member. Rombley identified the board member and colleague as Mathew (Taxi 118). She said on Wednesday when she showed up for work the man practically squeezed her out of the line and allowed another driver to get in front of her. She said after she was squeezed out of the line she went to the back of the line and Mathew called her and told her to come back for her space since he does not play games.
Rombley said at that point the DSTA president asked her if she was late again. She said she explained the president that the last time she was late it was because she had a sick child in the hospital. The woman said her son is still very ill and all she needed is one job a day after which she would return home to care for her child.

Rombley said she took her grievances to the President of the DSTA Mr. Scotty Priest who was on the beach and he told her he was going to call a meeting with her and the board member in question the next day. She said Priest did not give her a time for the meeting and since she had a big number she went to the A. C Wathey Cruise facility at 9 am hoping to be part of the meeting. Rombley said when she reached the pier no one convened any meeting including Priest who was there at the time. She said he joined the line and proceeded to look for a job and when it was her turn Priest approached her and said he cannot work there since the board took a decision to suspend her. The woman said when Priest told her she was suspended she told him that she is entitled to work since she pays her dues every month. She said she even told the president that she felt she was being treated unfairly.

The woman said she believes that there is some level of discrimination going on, asked what type of discrimination she said he hoped it was not against her nationality but felt it was gender discrimination. She further explained that the ‘men' on the DSTA board held a meeting and decided to suspend her without her being present is already discrimination. However, she said she is not aware of other discrimination since she does not mingle with anyone. However, she said on Wednesday morning when she told Priest she was having a problem with taxi driver 118, she said Priest laughed and told her maybe the man likes her. She said Priest did not take her serious enough to take her complaint but whatever, was said during the ‘boys" meeting was serious enough to suspend her.

The woman said she did not get any letter and she does not know why she was suspended and for how long she is suspended. She said the board and taxi dispatchers at the pier refused to give her a job even though she is a Dutch citizen by birth, and member of the DSTA who pays her dues. The woman said even the managing director of the AC Wathey Cruise Facility Mr. Keith Franca told her she cannot create confusion and should move her vehicle. It was then she told Franca she would not leave the pier unless she speaks to the media. Furthermore Rombley said she intends to see a lawyer and would be taking legal actions against the DSTA board. The woman said she could not work for the day while the person she had the problem with was allowed to work as well as the president.

When this reporter contacted Priest he said he does not know what the driver in question said and could not comment. Furthermore, he said if the driver felt she was treated unjustifiably then she has the right to speak out. He further explained that everyone has rules and regulation at their homes, jobs and even in their cars and so does the DSTA. The president said when he sees what is written and felt that he needed to react he would, until then he has nothing to say to the media.
This media house also contacted taxi 118 "Mathew" and he too refused to meet members of the media who was at the pier while he was there. Mathew said he does not know what is the problem and he did nothing wrong to anyone and does not think he needed to speak to the media.
The media representative was also barred from approaching taxi 118. The security at the pier said he was given instructions from the head of security to keep the media in the parking area by the gate.

Philipsburg: --- Workers of GEBE are very unhappy with its new boss says one source and angry worker. Speaking to SMN News unanimously an employee said the workers at GEBE is now beginning to grumble since the company's managing director William Brooks did not live up to the Collective Labor Agreement which says they are to receive a 10% increase in salary plus 2% cost of living adjustment.
Management of GEBE had to come with an appraisal based on work performance which had to be conducted at the end each year which would be basis for the increase, however management has failed to live up to its responsibility since 2006. According to the well placed source GEBE had to compensate its workers with a 5% increase on their salary at the end of 2006 since they failed to meet the obligations of the CLA drafted by the United Federation Union.
The source said in 2007 management of GEBE tried to prepare an appraisal but failed to include the appeals committee which is obligatory and the salary scales structure. The latter was not even presented to the Union. It is said the reason why management of GEBE is withholding the document is simply because they have not lived up the 5% penalty the previous year.
This appraisal did not finish on time which caused the company to be in default and liable by 5% to all its employees for a second year. It is said that without the salary scale the union is not able to make comparisons neither can it monitor the growth of its members. The source said since the appraisal was incomplete the workers of GEBE refused to sign the proposed half finish document.

The employee said that they are peeved because it has been three years now and to date management of GEBE is not making an effort to live up to the CLA and this affects the employees pension funds which is adjusted during the first month of each year. Even if the increases are paid later in the year the workers still stand to loose in their pension for one whole year, however this has been happening for the past three years and there is nowhere to know when management would live up to its obligations.
The source said the last time workers of GEBE got their cost of living adjustment was in 2005 and so far management is not addressing the issue.

It is understood that the Staff Union the ASWI has begun a signature drive where they got over 80% of their membership to endorse the union since management refused to meet with them saying they are not representing the majority of the workers. To do so the union needs to have 51% of the workers as their members.
It is also said that the ASWI was forced to call in the Federal labor mediator since management has failed to meet with them on a number of occasions to sign a collective labor agreement. The source said management is stonewalling the ASWI since they still cannot meet the demands of UFA. Another concern for the workers is that they need to know which of the employees fall under the UFA and which ones fall under ASWI. It is understood that workers position on the job and or his salary is what decides which union he or she falls under and since they are denied the salary scale and structure they are not able to say who their members are.

SMN News understands that the employees who have been patient over the years are now planning to take action since they learnt that the management team received an increase of Naf. 2,500 guilders monthly and other benefits. Efforts made to contact the unions and management up to press time proved futile.

Willemstad: -- Some six prisoners have escaped from the Bon Futuro Prison yesterday around midday. The prisoners took two prison guards hostage in block 7 of the facility. Police managed to arrest two of the escapees shortly after the break out. It is said that
block seven is part that was constructed recently.

Up to press time the names of the escapees was not released. It is said the prisoners managed to escape through a hole in a fence and they used rope to get over the prison walls. Sources say that it seems more than likely that the prisoners had assistance either from outside or inside the facility. police also organized a massive manhunt which included foot patrol, cars and the helicopter from the coast guard.
just over a week ago a prisoner who has been identified as Englelbert Koeiman escaped while working outside. Koieman is still on the run.
Minister of justice David Dick said he was still waiting information from them police last night when contacted by this media house.

Marigot: --- According to information circulating within the community and the Collectivity of St. Martin would indeed be making history since the State Council would be issuing a ruling that may reinstate former first vice President Marthe Ogoundele- Tessi to her position as first vice president. It is understood that the report of the commissaire d'Gouvernment was not in favor of Gumbs being elected to the presidential seat and the procedures of the election was also incorrect. The commissaire it is understood did not give a favorable advice to the council who would be issuing its final ruling in their next sitting.
It is said that a hearing was held in the Conseil d' Etat last week and the COM was already informed that a decision will be forthcoming. Sources told this media house that the COM has already been notified that the election of President Frantz Gumbs was illegal and the only position that had to be filled is the seat of the President and not the vice presidents. It said that the Territorial Council would have elect a new president. It is still not clear if Gumbs will be barred from running or what type of disciplinary measures will be issued in the final ruling.
This media house also understands that the UPP has had several meetings concerning the issue, including an emergency meeting that was held yesterday. It said the Territorial Council held a meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the arrival of the State Secretary of Yves Jego but the President did not make mention of the pending decision.
SMN News contacted leader of the RRR party Alain Richardson for a comment since Richardson is one of the persons who filed a complaint against the election with the Conseil d'Etat. Richardson said so far he did not receive any official information from them State Council and neither his lawyers. Also contacted was Marthe Ogoudele-Tessi, the former first vice president who also filed a complaint against the election procedures. Ogoundele-Tessi said she has been hearing rumors but so far she did not receive any official information. The ousted vice president said she already contacted her lawyers but they did not get back to her as yet.
President Frantz Gumbs was elected President on August 7th 2008 after the State Council condemned the former President Louis Constant Fleming on July 25th for not abiding by the French electoral laws. Fleming was sanctioned because he did not open a separate bank account of the 2007 Presidential election, something he said he did not purpose since according to him it was the only way to remain transparent.

Philipsburg- The slogan describing St. Maarten as "The Culinary Capital of the Caribbean" is obviously more than a mere marketing ploy. It has obviously attracted the attention of Catando y Picando, a popular TV program in Puerto Rico, with a target audience of viewers between the ages of 25 and 54 who are "interested in good style living, fine food and fine table."
A film crew of Catando y Picando were on the island last week to tape a full half-hour program dedicated to the gastronomy of St. Maarten which will be aired during prime time on Channel 30 Mega TV.
The crew was hosted by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau as part of government's ongoing efforts to take full advantage of opportunities to promote the island in the various source markets, especially at a time of global financial and economic crisis which is forcing travelers to be more selective and seek value and a lasting vacation experience.
The episode of Catando y Picando featuring St. Maarten will focus also on "most visited places for fine food, good wine and hot places in town," according to the producers.
"We are thrilled that this popular TV program in Puerto Rico will dedicate a whole half-hour program to St. Maarten," remarked Commissioner of Tourism, Roy Marlin. "In times of economic meltdown like the one the whole world is facing, people tend to travel nearer to their homes. Puerto Rico is less than an hour away from St. Maarten by air. Programs like this will enhance our visibility in that market and hopefully result in more Puerto Ricans deciding to vacation on our island," he added.
According to Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega, Puerto Ricans "love fine dining", hence Catando y Picando is "an appropriate medium to reach that niche market." She notes that the program has enjoyed a huge success in Puerto Rico over the past decade on radio, at hotel events and currently on Mega TV Channel 30.
LaBega added that the crew was very impressed with the variety and quality of the gastronomic offerings of the island, pointing out that it is no fluke that St. Maarten won the CTO Culinary Team of the Year in 2007.
No date has been set yet for the broadcast of the episode taped on St. Maarten, however, this would be announced as soon as it is known.

Cole Bay: -- Focus will be placed on obesity and delinquency during the three days tripartite parliamentary meeting which began yesterday says President of the Antillean Parliament Pedro Attacho during his opening statements. Attacho said since the meetings held here is part of the contact plan of Suriname, Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles it is of great importance that obesity be discussed on a broad base since a study in 2001 showed that at least 63% of the population in Curacao suffered from obesity. Attacho further explained this phenomenon has already begun grave dimensions in other countries. He said the Dutch cabinet has already expressed favor of an integrated approach and has therefore released the funding for it. Reasons given for this approach he said are to combat the social consequences including decreased productivity and cancellation of services as well as absenteeism.

Attacho said it is necessary for them to send a clear signal to the Dutch cabinet their concerns on obesity. He said whatever message is sent must is a "wake up" call for Caribbean islands. Expounding on the consequences of obesity he said puts enormous pressure on the health care system which also reduces the life expectancy of the citizens

Attacho indicated that already the Aruban and Netherlands Antilles conducted debates on the topic the results of the bi-partite meetings would be sent to the respective ministries.
He indicated that the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles has noticed that the Minister of Public Health is already on the matter since she has included in her policy the intention of public awareness however, he felt that it would be useful if Aruba, Suriname and the Antilles can work on the issue together.

Also on the agenda for discussions is youth delinquency since the three partners are already working together on judicial affairs. Attacho said he felt there is need for the tripartite to work towards the prevention of youth delinquency which would further shape the judicial chain.

Attacho said while on the island they would take the opportunity to meet with the President of the Collectivity Frantz Gumbs. The intention he said is create more acquaintance on the administrative structure and the political development on that side of the island.

President of the Aruba Mervin Wyatt Ras in her opening remarks said she felt since Suriname has enjoyed more than 30 years of Independence can give the necessary support to both Aruba who has 23 years of autonomy and the Netherlands Antilles who is presently undergoing its dismantling process. She said already Aruba is serving as an example with its separate status in the Kingdom. Wyatt Ras said having status apart has brought and is continuing to bring many benefits to the people of Aruba. She explained that they have developed tourism to an extent that 70% of their income derives from that economic pillar. While they also live from their oil refineries and much focus is now being placed on alternative forms of energy since they have invested in the Wind park and they are still looking into possibilities that are more environmentally friendly.
Wyatt Ras said that even though the economy in Aruba is stable they can be affected with the world economic crisis. She felt that is important for them to continue their investing in the tourism industry and other socio- economic projects that would guarantee sustainable growth. Wyatt Ras said they would need to further focus on the world financial recession and they should all prepare for a depression since the banks have made it extremely hard for everyone to access credit.

She said it is not easy to comprehend the mentality of the Dutch politicians as partners in the Kingdom especially those who make public remarks against public officials and the people of the Antilles and Aruba. Wyatt Ras said they are concerned with the apparent expansionist aims of Venezuela however she hopes that continued cooperation with the neighboring countries would create more opportunities.
She said there is need to further explore agriculture since the forefathers of these islands have lived from such and with the economic times ahead the need to consider the benefits of local production would be vital.
Aruba representative Mr. Hellen van de Wal will be making a presentation on youth criminality and gangs, however the need to focus on its prevention would be key in the discussions. She said while many may think that the youths have big mouths or consider them to be bad, there is need for them to see the positive side of the youths and at least try to prevent gang related issues. Wyatt Ras said there would be the need for the tripartite to cooperate on the issue of delinquency.

Marigot:-- A 19 year old young man was sentenced to three years of which 18 months are suspended. He was also sentenced to hard labor for attacking two tourists on February 21 in Grand Case.
A press release from the gendarmes states that culprit was identified by the VAMA Team. The sentence was handed down on February 26 in Basseterre.

Cupe Coy: --- A helicopter that is attached to the Heineken Regatta went down in the Cupe Coy area just after 11am. While some of the information that is being received right now is conflicting. It is understood that male person and two women and the pilot on board where he was conducting a cruise. While other information states that the helicopter in fact is attached to the Heineken Regatta. This media house also understands the helicopter took off from the L'Esperance airport in Grand Case and they were filming a yacht when the it began encountering engine problems.

It is understood that the four occupants who was on board the aircraft at the time it went down was rescued by some sailors that was passing in the area. Three occupants who are said to be VIP have escaped unharmed. It is also understood that the aircraft encountered some engine problems and the pilot chose to land the in the water, parts of the helicopter caught fire after it landed. The aircraft stayed afloat after the landing.
Members of the rescue operations from the coast guard safely towed the aircraft away. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said that when police received the call several patrols were dispatched to the scene to investigate. Henson said that according to eyewitnesses the helicopter began encountering engine problems and the pilot had no other choice but to land in the water. He said shortly after the landing a wave came and over turned the helicopter. The pilot and the passengers immediately abandoned the aircraft and were rescued by persons who were in a dingy.
The victims were taken to Mullet Bay beach where they received medical attention from the ambulance team. The helicopter in question is a type Bell 206. N-83086 which was on an island tour when it went down, Henson said the pilot who has been identified as N.J.B is said to be very experienced, also on board was two female passengers from the United States.

The helicopter drifted ashore in the Cupe Coy area and would be taken a location where the aviation investigators would conduct their investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

Philipsburg:--- Even though not official the CFT has already indicated that the figures of the 2009 budget is satisfactory according to their standards said commissioner of finance Roy Marlin said at yesterday's press briefing.
Marlin said the island government was requested to provide a number of answers to questions and elucidations pertaining to the 2009 budget. He said he has not seen any major changes that have to be made but they would need to take into consideration the income and expenditures based on the figures that were presented. He said consideration would also have to be placed on the economic down turn and its consequences that the island government would be feeling. Marlin said this though would call for greater financial management of government finances during the year 2009.

Marlin said the executive council reviewed the income verses the expenditures for the first two months and they already noticed a slight difference. He alluded that this was because of the sale of number plates which has not yet arrived. The finance commissioner said they had projected the number plate sale for the month of January. A difference he said was also seen in the processing fees for working permits. Marlin said the island government plans to monitor their finances on a month to month basis to make sure they stay in line with the agreed terms and agreements of the CFT and their budget discipline.
He said the CFT in its preliminary advice said the overall quality and figures that were presented are to their satisfaction. Marlin said he is presently waiting to get the final advice which would be made public and sent to the island council.

Marigot: --- The family of an elderly woman is annoyed and most of all hurt by the way the gendarmes entered their elderly mother's house and almost killed her since she is a heart patient. Sheila Dolores Maccow 70 years and her two children Lona Maccow and Francois Maccow told members of the media that on Friday morning a number of gendarmes many dressed in black clothing broke down the back door of her home apparently looking for someone.

Mrs. Maccow said she lives alone and about 6am she was busy making her bed up when she heard a loud bang on her door. The woman said before she knew it the gendarmes broke down her door and they entered her bedroom where she was and placed a gun at her back pushing her with the weapon and told her to get out of the house.
The woman said when she got out of the bedroom she saw a number of gendarmes in her kitchen and her hall, however, she went outside of the house as told by the gendarmes and that point she noticed the gendarmes had her son Francois aka "Cutie" on the ground with a gun forced in his back. Mrs. Maccow said when she saw the position the lawmen had her son in she fell down. She said she did not know what had happened next. The elderly woman said after a while she realized she was in an ambulance and she asked the gendarmes and other persons with her where they were taking her and they said to the hospital.
Lona Maccow the woman's daughter said she was called on her job and was told of the incident since her mother was conscious when she reached the hospital. Lona said her mother refused the treatment at the hospital because she once had a heart attack and she wanted to make sure her doctor knew what they were doing. Lona said the doctors at LC Fleming Hospital gave her mother a letter to go to her house doctor and they immediately took her to see him who said the elderly woman suffered a slight heart attack due to the shock. She said her brother who also suffers with his back also had to be taken to the hospital where an ex-tray was done to determine the extent of his injuries.
Lona said the gendarmes then returned to the house about 9 am the same morning and conducted a search however; they did not take anything away from the home. She said the gendarmes told them they were looking for a bad person whose name they gave as Flanders and who is considered to be a dangerous person. However, the gendarmes did not have a photograph or anything of the wanted man except to say they got information that he was living in their mother's house which is located at number 40 Rue de Hollande St. James.
Lona said her mother had suffered a heart attack sometime ago and she has to do therapy for her medical condition. The distraught daughter said her mother does her treatment on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and on the morning in question she got up early so that she can prepare herself before the therapist arrived at their home. The woman said her brother who lives upstairs came downstairs to rescue his mother but the gendarmes held him to the ground with a gun placed in his back. Lona said she does not know who the suspect is and so far the gendarmes cannot locate him. However, three gendarmes went back to her home on Monday and apologized to the elderly woman telling her they made a mistake with the house. Lona said on Wednesday evening she received another phone call from Gendarme Patrice who asked her how the meeting with Mr. Mussington, and Richardson went. She said she told the officer she did not know what he was talking about.

The family said they do not intend to file any complaint against the gendarmes however; they want to tell their story because they do not want this to happen to anyone else.
Also at the press conference was territorial councilor Alain Richardson who condemned the way the gendarmes handled the case. Richardson said on Friday the family was looking for him but they did not see him. He said about 9 am while on his way to work he did noticed three gendarmes in a car including commandant Stephanne Arrousseau and it is then the woman's daughter told him of the ordeal. Richardson said he immediately visited the elderly woman.
Richardson said from the very beginning even though it was clear that the family was very much hurt by the incident they have no intention to take legal actions against the gendarmes even though they have grounds for a strong case. He said he considers this to be use of excessive force as well as mistaken identity. Richardson said based on this ordeal the woman could have lost her life innocently. He said he believes if the gendarmes are going to raid someone's house they would have the basics which are a warrant from the judge, and the correct information on the home that they intend to raid. He said if the gendarmes had conducted the necessary research they would have known who lived at the home and the age of the person that is living there. He said he know that the gendarme does not raid homes haphazardly. Richardson said he sees no reason why the gendarmes did not go to get one of Mrs. Maccow children prior to raiding the home.

Richardson said since the gendarmes apologized it is clear they made a mistake. Richardson said it is clear that they are using excessive force. He said there are cases when the gendarmes are going to certain neighborhoods they go as if they intend to terrorize that particular neighborhood. Richardson said this type of attitude is not helping the situation. The territorial councilor acknowledged that there are guns and danger on the island and the gendarmes have to protect themselves. Richardson said that the gendarmes have to make sure they don't create more problems and they should beware before this type of behavior backfires. He said that at this time the gendarmes have to also make sure they keep the population on their side so that they can fight crime.

In an invited comment Commandant Stephanne Arrousseau said that they did an investigation which showed that the suspect do resides at the house in question. He said the French law does not require for them to have a search warrant. Arrousseau said as officers of the law they are supposed to do their jobs and based on the investigations they had to visit the Maccow's house. Asked if he knew what happened to the elderly woman he said he is aware but the woman was given the necessary medical attention and up to the last time they saw her she was okay. He said he is also aware of the call that was placed by Gendarme Patrice on Wednesday night and the reason why they called is because they heard the family along with Richardson was going to hold a press conference.

Marigot: --- The gendarmes have warned that due to the lack of a bilateral agreement between France and Holland or Saint Martin and St. Maarten police officers neither the gendarmes have no legal right to cross over each other's territory in pursuit of suspects.
The gendarmes made the reminder in a press release referring to the accident of a patrol car that lost control on Monday on Bellevue while in pursuit of two suspects who might have committed a crime on the Dutch side. The gendarmes said they are busy conducting an investigation into the accident which occurred about 500 meters beyond the border.

The release further states that this is not the first time a patrol car from the Dutch side has lost control while on pursuit on the French side. They reminded that on October 13 2007 a near fatal accident occurred. In relation to Monday's incident they said the two victims (police officers) were received minor injuries was removed from the scene by officers of the Dutch police force. The victims were taken to the St. Maarten Medical Center where they was treated and released later that same day.

Despite the absence of a cross border agreement, it does not mean suspects will get away unpunished, the Gendarmerie added. Cooperation continues to exist in real time between the two respective forces of order to facilitate arrests on either side of the border. This was demonstrated on February 27 when two armed individuals were arrested by the Dutch side police for robbing businesses in French Quarter and was attributed to quick communications and exchange of information. All Gendarmerie patrols were alerted as well as the Dutch side police.
The international cross border agreement is still under study by the two Governments concerned. The police department on the Dutch side has so far remained tightlipped on the accident which cost them a police vehicle.

Philipsburg:--The [RED] Campaign just received an important asset to the Campaign by having one of St. Maarten's most popular DJ's, DJ Blaze throw his weight behind HIV/AIDS awareness.
DJ Blaze is the first DJ on the island to join the [RED] campaign, which is good, because he can make use of the various avenues allotted to him to reach the youth. The slogan for 2009 is Think [RED], Do Safe, which focuses on promoting healthy sexual behavior. This year the campaign is focusing on the youth, and what better way to reach them than through their own environment.
DJ Blaze told us at the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team that he is real happy to be a part of this campaign and will help in every way possible to spread the awareness of HIV/AIDS through his parties and beyond. People can look out for the Think [RED], Do Safe Party in May hosted by DJ Blaze.
"One of our objections for this year is to take the [RED] Campaign to all areas of our society, wherever people and conversations are Think [RED], Do Safe should be on their mind," said Cornelius De Weever, HIV/AIDS Assistant Programme Manager.
Cornelius De Weever, stated, "I attended his last party to observe and I was very pleased to listen to them spread the message without offending those in attendance."
DJ Blaze has been a DJ for the past 11 years, and is well known for his fun/exciting, off the chain parties, especially his annual birthday bash in August, which falls right after August Monday. In February he held the ‘Ramping Shop' Party at Secrets Nightclub, and provided condoms to party attendees. His specialty music is hip/hop, soca and reggae. The HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team is looking forward to working with DJ Blaze. DJ Blaze can be reached on telephone number 581-2225 or via any of the social networking sites, such as Facebook, Hi5 and MySpace or through e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Stay tuned for more on the party scene from DJ Blaze and the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team.

Philipsburg: --- A Guyanese man identified as N is now in police custody accused of molesting his 12 year old stepdaughter a student of the Starlight Education.
SMN News understand the man who is employed by the harbor expansion have been molesting his three step daughters over the years. Sources say the man allegedly abused his older step daughter who began speaking out and she was sent back to Jamaica by her mother who felt she was lying on her husband.
The source said the man also did the same thing to the woman second daughter was also a student of Starlight Education but now attends the St. Maarten Academy but that child was very intraverse and did not speak about her problems. The alleged child molester then began sexually molesting his wife's last child who spoke out since last year at the school. It is understood that the school called in the mother and informed her of the allegations made by then 11 year old B.D. It is understood the mother became very angry and wanted to scold her daughter whom she said is a known liar.

On Monday the student stayed away from school seemingly because she was again abused. It is said the child went to a neighbor who rescued her and took her to the court of guardianship where she was questioned. This media house has been reliably informed that the child was in pain when she showed up at school on Tuesday and was crying. It is said that she also informed her teacher of the incident that took place the day before. Police arrested N on Thursday after an official complaint was filed. The man already appeared before the judge of instruction and was given an extension on his pretrial detention.
In an invited comment Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said police are busy investigating the case and that only one complaint has been filed thus far. Stein said based on the nature of the case he is not at liberty to further comment.

Philipsburg:--- Leader of Government Sarah Wescot Williams wants to meet with their French counterpart to further discuss the implementation of the Franco-Dutch Treaty. The treaty which was established since 1994 she said will hinder the island during the economic down turn. She said her concern is to make sure they do not cut their nose to spoil their faces now that the world is facing a crisis.

She said she intends to ask her counterpart for consideration with respect to the implementation and the current financial situation facing St. Maarten. She said while she is not looking for a postponement she believes it is necessary to further deliberate on the issues and the implementation and figure out what effects this treaty would have for visitors coming to St. Maarten especially now that government is working to attract as many visitors as possible. The island leader said all of this was discussed already but they are planning to further discuss the application of the treaty at the Princess Juliana International Airport.
She said the treaty which is a measure of control has left a feeling that they would not be cutting their nose and spoil their faces. She said while lots of time has elapsed the committee needs to establish a basis for their purpose.
Wescot Williams said last week she met with the committee that was established to deal with the execution of the treaty.

Airport: --- Several workers of the Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR) will be greeted with sad news today as management of the company plans to inform them via a memo of its intention to cut jobs as they already began cutting back on some of their destinations due to the global economic crisis which continues to affect a number of local businesses.
It is understood that due to the global crisis the company is facing a number of challenge which led to the steps that have been taken by management namely Edwin Hodge. Some of the routes that are to be affected are Dominica, Tortola, St. Kitts and Nevis.

The airline stopped all destinations to Dominica and Tortola on March 1 while the remaining routes will halt by March 29th. Due to the cuts some 20 persons are expected to loose their jobs including twelve (12) pilots and eight (8) ground crew members.
It is understood that management attempted to save the routes as well as the jobs but government at some of the destinations had refused to assist the airline which resulted in the present situation.

Air Jamaica announced earlier this year that they were going to cut some 600 jobs while LIAT has already began reducing flights out of Guyana, Antigua, and Barbuda, Barbados and St, Kitts and Nevis, but so far they have failed to say how many people are going to be under the razor. With this announcement WINAIR would be the latest Airline to take these decisions if they are to continue doing business.
While the global economic crisis has affected all cross sections of business and in the tourism sectors WINAIR is no different. It is understood that the routes that are now being affected was not doing well and the company was working at a loss since the governments of those islands refused to share the burden even though they want the airline to continue its operations. With these drastic cut backs WINAIR would only be servicing eight destinations.
Efforts made to contact managing Director of WINAIR Mr. Edwin Hodge for a comment proved futile up to press time.
SMN News plans to follow these developments and will bring it to you when it becomes available.

Philipsburg:--- Minister of Education and health Omyra Leeflang announced through a teleconference yesterday that she would be visiting the island by the 19th and 20th of this month. Minister Leeflang said the purpose of the meeting is to attend the national UNESCO committee meeting. During this meeting a Jamaican national would be making a presentation and assist in making a cultural policy plan.
The Education minister is also expected to make a presentation on how to use technology in education. Leeflang said that the same program is being used in Curacao and while there is concerns on the Dutch language this is program maybe helpful. She said since there are not enough Dutch teachers on St. Maarten the technology program will be useful.
She also disclosed that all the laws on education are now ready and reminded that the islands were implementing several innovations in education was implemented while the laws or legal frame on these innovations were not in place. This she said had applied to foundation base education as well as professional education. This she said was necessary since there were lots of critics on the FBE education program. She said the education report that was conducted showed that the FBE education is the best as long as then infrastructure is in place for the program. The report she said was done by the Dutch government and it showed that the astonishing results of the program. She said she is proud that the Antilles did not wait until the report came out to make the necessary reforms. The Minister said the report in question had stated that the Antilles was dealing with a lost generation.

Leeflang said she intends to conduct a town hall meeting with all those in education especially management team, the school boards as well as the policy makers. Right now she said educators can experiment with education since the law provides for that, however the education reform states that one has to make sure the results are optimal.
Quizzed on the implementing of compulsory education she said this was one of her initiatives based on the DELTA plan which has three objectives which are to decrease the dropout rate, reduce youth unemployment making sure the education system is sufficient for all children.
She said in order to make this reduction a monitoring system has to be in place. The Minister said that she had visited St. Maarten in 2006 and informed the island government about the need for compulsory education. She said even though this was implemented in Curacao and the other Windward islands, St. Maarten had received one year extra to have its act together and prepare for the implementation of compulsory education. This decision she said was made it after consulting with St. Maarten. Leeflang said that in 2008 monies were put aside for the DELTA plan for all the islands. She said the central government did not keep one cent of these monies instead the monies were given to all the islands through the Dutch financing program. She said about 9 million guilders were in place for compulsory education. This money she said is with USONA and she cannot even stop St. Maarten from using this money if they wanted to use it. She warned that the monies should not be used for consultancy but instead the island government should begin to build schools and have teachers follow courses so that they can adequately prepare themselves to become certified teachers.

She said one of the things St. Maarten did was to send her a letter requesting eight million guilders to introduce compulsory education and she indicated to them to begin using the monies they already have. Minister Leeflang said she already inquired from USONA and there is still has monies available for St. Maarten. She said the island still has monies to its disposal for foundation based education and it is her belief that the island government must begin to build more schools because as long as the children are in school something can be achieved for them, however, if there is no school then the opportunity is lost. She said in her opinion St. Maarten has not lived up to their challenge as yet with regards to compulsory education. Asked if she concerned about the influx of children to St. Maarten now that the registration process has begun? Leeflang said the schools are not immigration and the immigration should begin doing their jobs at the airports. She said if these children are not in possession of the legal documents when they enter St. Maarten then immigration should make sure they leave accordingly. She made clear this is an immigration problem and not put this on the schools. Asked what her stance on the so-called illegal schools? She said that all children up to age 18 have to be in school and she does not know if there are rights for illegal schools. She made clear that the island government needs to have government-subsidized schools to accommodate all children. She reminded that the Netherland Antilles are parties to the treaty of the Rights of the Child who are entitled to education. She insisted that all children must be educated and there is no illegal children since these children came to the islands with their parents. The Minister said that these parents are being used in the labor force yet government wants to deny the children of education saying they are illegal and there are not enough schools for them. She said if government wants to regulate this problem then their parents should not be used in the labor market. She concluded that if these children are in the Netherlands Antilles then they must be educated.

Philipsburg: --- Two months after its implementation the new labor policy seems to be in jeopardy since Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards has sent a letter to the Commissioner of Labor Sarah Wescot Williams as well as an applicant informing them that he cannot and would not be issuing any declaration of Intent. Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards in his letter said that he needs more time since this so-called letter of intent needs further fine tuning by the executive council.
He stated in his letter which was copied to Wescot Williams dated March 6th that his office would not be accepting any requests for the document until he is ready. He advised the applicant to wait until he made public that the process for requesting applications for the declaration in question resumes.

The new labor policy clearly states that illegal immigrants who are gainfully employed and is requesting a working permit for the first time need to have the letter of intent from the governor. The letter of intent is a document where the governor of the island territory is actually acknowledging that he is aware that the immigrant person (applicant) is residing on St. Maarten illegally furthermore they should be granted a working permit since his office would also be granting the person a residency permit.

SMN News understands that at least one person already filed a court case against the Lt. Governor since he is hindering the full implementation of the labor policy which was perused by him before it was implemented two months ago. This media house also understands that questions are now being raised about the publication of the 2006 immigration policy which is being used in part by the governor's office. It is said that lawyers and other agencies that are processing immigration documents are forbidden to use this policy since it was never published. It is said that at least one law firm has intention of filing a second court case regarding the use of the policy which was mentioned by Wescot Williams and the Minister of Justice.

At the weekly press briefing commissioner of labor Wescot Williams said when asked about the 2006 immigration policy that was not fully implemented that she would be meeting with the Minister of Justice this week where she would further discuss his policy. She said that the reason she mentioned the policy is because illegal immigrants has the possibility of taking their case or situation to the office of the Lt. Governor who would in turn consider legalizing them by granting them a residency permit. Because of this the island leader and labor commissioner said that is why she felt the policy is partially being implemented. She said in the new labor policy it is clearly indicated that someone can get a declaration of intent from the governor's office. This she said was placed in the policy to eliminate the fact that the person (applicant) does not have to prove they were not on the island when they applied for a work permit. She said that the declaration intention pertains to ones residency and this possibility is based on the Minister's policy. Wescot Williams said in her planned meeting with the Minister she would be looking for clarity on the policy as well as the integration of the labor, immigration and education policies.

In the meantime the commissioner said the executive council approved the proposal of a Memorandum of Understanding and the formalization of the tripartite committee on labor. She said MOU that was proposed for approval resulted from the labor officials, the Chamber of Commerce, SHTA and the unions and herself as labor commissioner. She said the labor department gave several written clarifications on questions that were asked in the meeting of January 21. Wescot Williams said the MOU addressed some of the issues that were brought forward in the meeting as a matter of concern. She said one of the aspects that is modified is the mentioned is the housing requirement which is now more flexible. Also modified is the request for work permits renewals for the year 2009 and more flexibility was granted on the moratorium and the requests for director's license and the need for directors to apply for work permits. This she said was also addressed in the draft MOU.

Wescot Williams said she as labor commissioner also tabled some other points for discussions such as the age limit which is mentioned in the new policy. Wescot Williams said a policy has to be made concerning the employment agencies where they would address the fees rather than the processing fees for these permits. She said clarity has to be made on the licensing fee for these agencies and the processing fees of the work permits. She said she is hoping that these matters be discussed and be forwarded to the executive council for ratification. The commissioner made clear that the new revised labor policy which took effect on January 12 is the policy that is in effect. She said when the MOU is will be addendum to the policy and that which is regulated in the MOU will also be applied.