PHILIPSBURG:--- The One St. Martin Association (One SXM) has been invited by the Caribbean Reparations Committee (CRC) to participate in the Caribbean Festival of Arts, CARIFESTA XV, in Barbados, from August 22 to 31, 2025.

The CRC will participate in panel discussions on issues such as Reparations and decolonization. The revised CARICOM 10-Point Plan on Reparations is also slated to be presented during the festival.

According to One SXM, the association’s president, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, will deliver St. Martin perspectives on Reparations and decolonization during the panel titled “Freedom Isn’t Finished—Reflections on the Caribbean’s Unfinished Historical Mission: The Total Decolonization and Unification of the Region.”

Arrindell’s co-panelists include representatives from the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago. The discussion is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheatre in St. Michael. Arrindell is a leading St. Martin Reparations activist and author of the book Language, Culture and Identity in St. Martin.

“Freedom Isn’t Finished” is one of several panels of the “Big Conversations” program, which, along with the Symposia of CARIFESTA XV, is coordinated by Dr. Marielle Barrow-Maignan.

“At Big Conversations… we are bringing the issues that matter into the spotlight and shaping the ideas that will drive Caribbean culture and the arts industries forward,” CARIFESTA stated Thursday on its Facebook page.

As for the CARIFESTA XV Symposia, the festival’s conference agenda is enhanced by sessions that bring together thought leaders, artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners to explore key issues related to the festival’s theme, along with broader, interconnected topics.

Arrindell, a Howard University lecturer, said she is also “excited to attend performances in dance, music, and other art forms, and is looking forward to discussions on Caribbean spirituality, climate justice, decolonization, and Reparations—as well as seeing St. Martin artists perform.”

The aim of CARIFESTA is “To foster a vision of Caribbean unity and possibility by facilitating the documenting and disseminating of artworks as highlights of the ongoing historical and cultural development of our people,” according to CARICOM.

As the region’s premier arts festival, CARIFESTA is held periodically in different Caribbean locations. The 2025 edition began last Friday with a Parade of Nations, an address by host country Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and a high-energy concert featuring musical stars. With the theme “Caribbean Roots … Global Excellence,” this year’s festival focuses on the global influence of Caribbean culture.

PHILIPSBURG:---  In a powerful show of public service unity, NAPB- Sint Maarten and ABVO -Sint Maarten have formally declared their solidarity with WICSU-PSU, representing firefighters and ambulance workers, as frontline emergency services continue to face mounting pressures over staffing, safety, and working conditions.

NAPB- Sint Maarten and ABVO- Sint Maarten issued a joint statement today expressing unwavering support for their fellow emergency responders, citing shared values, mutual challenges, and the critical need for investment in public safety infrastructure.

"Firefighters and paramedics stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us every day on the front lines. Today, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them," said Marcus Pantophlet, president of NAPB- Sint Maarten. "Their fight for fair conditions and adequate resources is our fight too."

"Solidarity among public safety workers sends a clear message: we are united in our commitment to protect the public—and each other," added President Sharlon Cathalina, president of ABVO- Sint Maarten.

WICSU-PSU, representing firefighters and ambulance workers, welcomed the support.

The unions are urging elected officials and the public to recognize the essential role that all emergency responders play—and the urgent need to provide the resources and respect these roles deserve.

Simpson Bay:---  Arrow Restaurant Simpson reaffirms its commitment to excellence by offering its operations team an intensive 3-day, 12-hour workshop designed to strengthen their leadership and management skills within the hospitality sector. This initiative is part of the restaurant’s vision to invest in the continuous development of its staff to ensure high-quality service and a superior experience for its customers.

The program, facilitated by Kenty Lichtenberg, of Be Your Own Brand, focused on key areas such as: leadership fundamentals and team communication, personality styles and their impact on teamwork, conflict resolution and crisis management, strategies for employee motivation, recognition and retention, excellence in customer service, and innovation through artificial intelligence tools applied to the restaurant industry.

During the sessions, participants had the opportunity to reflect, practice, and apply dynamics tailored to their daily roles, which helped reinforce their sense of belonging and encourage effective collaboration. With a practical and interactive methodology, the workshop provided not only knowledge but also immediate tools to improve internal processes and customer care. “Participants, in a highly interactive and hands-on way, were able to resolve real-life case scenarios from their day-to-day operations. At the end of the workshop, they also received a certificate of participation, an element that will continue to foster a mindset of personal development for the Arrow Restaurant team, and of course, add value for their customers,” said Kenty Lichtenberg.

General Manager Maireni Montás highlighted the importance of this type of training: “We trust that these initiatives are fundamental for improving customer service, managing internal processes, and, above all, strengthening each member’s sense of belonging to a team with a vision of progress and growth.” Arrow Restaurant Simpson thus reaffirms its leadership as a reference in local hospitality, betting on the development of its people as the main driver of its success.

“We hope that many smaller / mid-size organizations in the hospitality industry continue to understand the importance of capacity building for their personnel. With the fast developments in technology and operational processes, learning is a key element of business longevity”,  says Kenty Lichtenberg of Be Your Own Brand.

PHILIPSBURG: --- NOW, Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis is urgently calling on Prime Minister Dr. Luc Marcelina and the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richnel Brug, to address without further delay the grievances of the Ambulance and Fire Departments. The ongoing “go slow” action by these departments can potentially put the lives of our citizens and visitors at serious risk.  

MP Lewis was informed of a horrific accident that occurred early this morning in Simpson Bay, in the vicinity of the Anguilla Dock on Airport Road. One of the individuals involved in the accident was the daughter of a well-known civil servant. According to information received, the ambulance response took approximately 25 minutes to arrive at the scene. Such a delay in emergency response for a serious accident is deeply concerning and could have easily resulted in the tragic loss of life.  

“This incident is not only alarming but also a wake-up call for the government to act swiftly regarding the demands agreed upon with the ambulance and fire departments,” MP Lewis stated. “The men and women of our Ambulance and Fire Departments are essential frontline workers, yet they continue to face inadequate resources and unresolved labor concerns. Promises were made to these workers by the previous Prime Ministers, including the current Dr. Luc Mercelina, and it is unacceptable that those commitments have not yet been fulfilled.”  

MP Lewis stressed that the ongoing go-slow action is a direct reflection of the frustration of these vital departments. He warned that failure to address the situation immediately may lead to further delays, jeopardizing public safety.  

“I urge the Prime Minister and the Minister of VSA  to move beyond words and deliver to these civil servants under their leadership of what was promised. Our citizens cannot afford a repeat of this morning’s delay, nor can we gamble with lives due to administrative inaction,” MP Lewis said. “It is imperative that the grievances of the Ambulance and Firefighter Departments are resolved, and the necessary resources are allocated so they can perform their duties effectively and efficiently.”  

MP Lewis concluded by emphasizing that the government’s failure to act is not only a breach of trust but also a matter of life and death. He calls on Ministers responsible to honor their commitments and resolve the matter promptly before another tragedy occurs.