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Mar 13th
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Registration of Haitian Nationals in Relation to the Brooks Towers (Category 3).

Philipsburg:--- Registration of Haitian nationals who fall under category three of the Brooks Tower Accord can register themselves to avoid deportation as of Monday March 15. Brooks
The registration will take place from Monday through Friday from 8 am non-stop till 4 in the afternoon at the Conference Center of the Salvation Army on the Union Road #59 in Cole Bay.
  1. The registration is only for the following groups of illegal Haitians who live in St. Maarten by before March 1, 2010. This relates to Haitian nationals who entered the Antilles between January 1st, 2006 and January 12th, 2010. January 12, 2010 is the day the devastating earthquake took place in Haiti.
  2. Those who applied via "Steering group" and who entered the Netherlands Antilles between January 1st, 2006 and January 12th, 2010. This is because they are not eligible to receive a permit via the "BTA" as they are not special cases.
  3. Those who entered before January 1st 2006, but who did not register for category 1 or 2 of the "BTA". By not registering, they automatically become illegal equal to category 3 "BTA".

By registering the illegal groups 1 and 2, the right is obtained to continue living in St. Maarten until the 31st of December 2010. Those of category 3 will get the right to stay until August 31, 2010. The registration does not give the illegal residents other rights.

All Haitians mentioned above will receive a copy of the registration form to have in their possession at all times. No photograph is on this form, only the signature of the illegal person who registered.
The illegal immigrant must show this form to the authorities during controls. This form indicates up to which day their stay is allowed on St. Maarten. Before said date, they can always leave St. Maarten of their own will. After said date, they will be deported.

Haitians who register for category 1 and 2 of the Brooks Tower do not need to register again.

The registration will not take more than 5 minutes, as long as the illegal immigrant brings his / her passport and a copy of the travel document.

It also applies here that if the illegal immigrant supplies information that is not based on the truth or makes use of a false passport, he / she commits a crime and will be deported immediately.

 

Health Commissioner and SMMC Medical Director Announces Two New Gynecologists.

Health Commissioner and SMMC Medical Director Announces Two New Gynecologists. GREAT BAY (GIS)— Commissioner of Health Hyacinth Richardson and the medical director of St. Maarten medical center announced on Friday the arrival of two new gynecologists who would begin working at the St. Maarten Medical Center as early as Monday.

Commissioner Richardson, said that he has had many deliberations with stakeholders to ensure optimal gynecology and obstetrics care on St. Maarten thus enabling his staff to secure the additional specialists.
Richardson said the first of the two much needed specialists will begin working as of Monday March 15. The commissioner said he is aware that the medical institution would need more specialists and they are continuing to work towards finding a permanent solution for the island people to achieve better medical care.

Dr. George Scot said that since the year 2000, there have been three doctors in this field. Last year one of the doctors left, and with the leaving of another, there was a need to attract doctors in gynecology. There is need for at least three to four permanent gynecologists on St. Maarten

Following a number meetings, and with the cooperation and assistance of a medical institution in the Netherlands, we are working with a pool of 7 gynecologists, two of which will be working on a 3-4 month rotation basis. One will start on March 15th, and this doctor will be replaced by two other doctors on April 1st. Thus there will be two at the Hospital plus Doctors Friday and Petit, and the Midwife Ms. R Janga.

Scot added that out of the pool of 7 gynecologists, it will have to be determined which two are going to work with the Medical center/on St. Maarten on a long term basis.

In addition, there are efforts being made to acquire two midwives from abroad. There are currently two persons from St. Maarten studying to be a mid wife; and another who has completed her studies, but currently working in the Netherlands—all three have indicated that they are willing to return, so we, Dr. Scot said, we are having discussions and staying in communication.

On the short term basis however, they are speaking to two midwives, one from Suriname and the other from the Netherlands, who are willing to work on St. Maarten. Dr. Scot said he does not know exactly when the two midwives would be able to start working on St. Maarten. The Medical Director further explained that in order to secure Women's Health the institution was forced to accept the rotation basis for the year 2010 since the two gynecologists that have indicated that they are willing to work on St. Maarten for a longer period can only do so as of 2011. He said finding fully rounded specialists are very difficult to find since the island is rather small and does not offer all the advantages in the medical field for younger specialists.

46 Receive Royal Decree of Dutch Citizenship.

46 Receive Royal Decree of Dutch Citizenship.GREAT BAY,– On Wednesday 46 persons became Dutch citizens during an official naturalization ceremony held in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall. The eldest person was 66 years of age.

Governor Franklyn Richards who presided over the ceremony congratulated the 26 females and 20 males of which 19 were born on the island and 19 were children under the age of 10.

This was the second naturalization ceremony for 2010. Governor Richards congratulated the new citizens after they cited in the presence of family and friends the declaration of solidarity.

Governor Richards during the ceremony also gave a historical perspective with respect to the naturalization process pointing out that it was back in August 2008 that changes were made to the process of obtaining the Dutch nationality.

In March 2009 the Kingdom law was amended and came into effect.

The 46 persons who became Dutch citizens hailed from the following countries: 14 Suriname, six Dominica, six Dominican Republic, five Haiti, four Americans, three St. Kitts & Nevis, three Jamaica, three Guyana, one St. Lucia and one French national.

At the end of the ceremony, the new Dutch citizens were treated to beverages and snacks.

STAR CLIPPER TO BEGIN ST. MAARTEN HOME PORTING IN DECEMBER.

STAR CLIPPER TO BEGIN ST. MAARTEN HOME PORTING IN DECEMBER.GREAT BAY,– The island of St. Maarten will begin serving as home port for the cruise vessel Star Clipper, as of December 20.
That is according to tourism commissioner Frans Richardson, who has been attending the 2010 ITB Berlin trade show in Germany.
In making the announcement on Friday, Commissioner Richardson said that he is very encouraged by the news and that he wholeheartedly welcomes the decision taken by Star Clipper.
"This choice offers our island an opportunity to welcome additional numbers of visitors to our shores while complimenting other tourism efforts which are already underway", he said.
Commissioner Richardson said that the decision is "is certainly gratifying and represents a commitment by both parties".
The tourism commissioner said that this is certainly good news where it concerns prospective visitors from Germany and other parts of Europe. He said that he looked forward to the Star Clipper service having a spin-off effect for the U.S. market as well.
"I have no doubt that all stakeholders will work together, hand in hand, to make the Star Clipper venture a success for St. Maarten", said commissioner Richardson.
He said that St. Maarten would continue with endeavors to "retain St. Maarten as a competitive cruise ship destination and a convenient base for home porting, given its strategic location."
The idea is that the Star Clipper will leave from Phillipsburg and sail to Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, B.V.I., Norman Island, B.V.I., Jost van Dyke, B.V.I., St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Barths, before returning here.
The Star Clipper is described as a "modern cruise ship in every way, created for comfort-loving passengers who also love the traditions and romance of the legendary era of sailing ships".
The vessel is some 360 feet long and carries 170 guests.
Commissioner Richardson remarked that St. Maarten's participation at the 2010 ITB Berlin event is significant considering that it provides an excellent opportunity to meet business partners and to do business.

ITB Berlin is not only the leading travel industry show in Germany but it is also the perfect place to learn about new trends, concepts and cooperation possibilities – and to deepen existing business relations, he said.
According to Commissioner Richardson, "this is where you meet hotel managers, tour operators, travel agency owners, travel agents, journalists and operators of cruise vessels such as the Star Clipper".
With more than 180,000 visitors, among these 108,000 trade visitors, and over 10,000 exhibitors, ITB Berlin is the leading B2B-Platform of all tourism industry offers.
St. Maarten has been among a total of over 11 thousand exhibitors at ITB Berlin.
Represented at ITB Berlin are some 187 countries.

Mega D of St. Eustatius speaks to Youth Development Program on St. Maarten.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Wednesday the 3rd of March, Dion "Mega D" Humphreys and Gene Herbert of the Mega D Youth Foundation in St. Eustatius visited the students of the Youth Development Program in St. Maarten.

Both persons gave motivational speeches during the students' Social skills class at the Caribbean Institute for Social Education Foundation (CIFSEF). They talked to the youngsters about second chances, the importance of social skills, perseverance, and living purposefully.

In addition, Humphrey and Herbert gave a short presentation of the foundation's activities in St. Eustatius and urged and encouraged the youngsters to give back to the community.

The program Social Pedagogic Worker (SPW/Care) is aimed at persons who want to work with children. After successful completion of this course, one can work in a daycare, an afternoon school or a foster home with persons within the age group of 0-18 years.

The department/program wants to invite more persons (especially young persons doing well) from the community to deliver motivational speeches and hold workshops on issues in the community such as violence, drugs, HIV/AIDS, active parenting, among other topics.

We plan on linking with the different organizations and institutions to achieve this.

Currently the social and educational program is doing well; the success rate of the pilot courses held before has been high, above 80%, and there are 48 students placed in the preparatory program.

The Social Skills course which we refer to as the preparatory part of the program is held at CIFSEF, where the youngsters are placed for 3 months to work on their social skills. The first set of students is currently in that phase.

We have 23 students who were part of the pilot preparatory program, now in the main part of the program. They are following the courses of PC Repair/SPW1/Front Desk Agent.

The other courses that the program offers are Bartender, Waitress, Room Care Attendant, and Hospitality Security.

GIS takes part in Career Fair at the St. Maarten Academy PSVE.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Friday, March 5, the Department of the Government Information Service took part in the Career Fair at the St. Maarten Academy PSVE School in South Reward.

The department had displays of their G.I.S. products, which range from the news program G.I.S. Bulletin to the Government Information Page which appears in newspapers from Monday to Thursday and gives the public information about various aspects of government. The Government Information Service is responsible for the dissemination of information to civil servants internally and to the general public externally.

G.I.S. also displayed the print materials of the department and other promotional materials on particular topics, like the H1N1 flu prevention campaign. Additional G.I.S. media products shown were, from Television Specials, Documentaries to Public Service Announcements; coverage of the Island Council meetings; special events; the Civil Server internal newsletter, and the Government Employment Opportunities pamphlet.

Interim Head of G.I.S. Rodney Richardson said that it was a good opportunity for the students to see what GIS is about, and to promote working in the field of communications. Additionally its also interesting for students to hear from G.I.S. staff members on their experiences of working in Government as a Civil Servant.

Several GIS staff members spoke to the group of students and explained about G.I.S. in general and/or about their function in particular.

The students were invited to visit the department and get hands-on tour and maybe a student internship in the future.

There were about 20 other organizations that were present at the PSVE Career Fair.

Legal Affairs Investigating ROB Inspector and Blue Blood---Seen at Questionable House in Cul de Sac.

Legal Affairs Investigating ROB Inspector and Blue Blood---Seen at Questionable House in Cul de Sac.Philipsburg: --- The island government and the department of Legal Affairs are currently investigating an inspector of ROB (Public Works) who allegedly tried to extort monies from Blue Marine. According to reliable sources, the ROB inspector and his girl friend are owners of Blue Blood Construction tried to extort $42,000 from Blue Marine, a company that belongs to Saro Spadaro. SMN News learnt that the inspector committed his act since July 2009 and to date no actions has been taken.

The source said the inspector sent his girlfriend (another civil servant) with an invoice in the name of Blue Blood to Blue Marine for $42, 000 even though Blue Blood did not conduct any work for Blue Marine. It is further understood that when Blue Marine questioned the invoice they were told that they should pay the invoice if they wanted to get their inspection approved on the buildings that were constructed at Pointe Pirouette. SMN News further learnt that a well-known member of the Democratic Party contacted the Director of ROB with the invoice that was sent to Blue Marine, which prompted ROB Director Joseph Dollison to immediately remove the inspector from that construction site and initiated an investigation on the incident. SMN News further learnt that a process verbal was made up and sent to personnel affairs on the inspector because of a second incident, which involved him, and another colleague who visited one of Blue Blood's construction sites in Oyster Pond. This media house learnt that the inspector wrote a letter complaining about his colleague whom he said is trying to hinder the work process at Oyster Pond.

SMN News also learnt that the inspector whose name was provided failed to execute his duties when several residents and even landowners asked that he intervene to stop pollution and other threats at a Shanty Town in Cul de Sac area.
The civil servant, land owner and resident of Cul de Sac said she filed several complaints at ROB and the with the police regarding the parking of vehicles and the dumping of garbage on their land but the inspector in question never did anything with the complaints filed.
This resident said she noticed a government vehicle attached to ROB in the area and decided to look to see what was happening. The resident said she also decided to take photos of the government vehicle number E 42 that was parked in the area and of the civil servant as he was leaving a home that is also part of the problems that are being encountered with illegal residents in the area.
The resident said when the civil servant realized he was caught and that photos were being taken of him he became aggressive and took the government vehicle and blocked her in. She said the ROB inspector approached her vehicle aggressively. The resident has since filed a complaint with the police department against the ROB inspector for his aggressive behavior. Late on Thursday evening, the detectives called in the inspector regarding the complaint. The inspector in question had some legal issues with his wife, over a year ago, his case was handled by the prosecutor's office, and he received a conditional dismissal. SMN News also learned that the Acting Sector Director of ROB Claudius Buncamper has instructed the inspector to park the government vehicle since he was not on assignment on Thursday in the Cul de Sac area when the incident occurred.

Blackman Escapes Vote of No Confidence for Lack Quorum--- Budget Issues Still Pending.

Blackman Escapes Vote of No Confidence for Lack Quorum--- Budget Issues Still Pending.Philipsburg: --- Commissioner Xavier Blackman narrowly escaped a motion of no confidence which was to be presented by Island Councilman Petrus Leroy De Weever had the island council meeting convened on Thursday.
The Democratic Party Faction of the island council called an island council meeting on Thursday to discuss the pending 2010 budget and labor related matters, however the meeting could not be convened because the Democratic Party did not have a quorum even though Commissioner Theo Heyliger signed in for the meeting giving them five of the eleven signatures.
Chairman of the island council Franklyn Richards postponed the meeting for half an hour hoping that the other members of the council that were present would have signed in. In the tribune were Island Councilmen Rudolph Samuel, George Pantophlet, and commissioner Hyacinth Richardson, while the leader of government William Marlin and commissioner Frans Richardson were off island and island councilman Louis Laviest was absent. When the meeting was convened for the second time Richards informed the council that based on section 2-13 or the Island Regulations he must read out the names of those members who did not sign in as absent. He also indicated that the meeting could be called again in 30 days time based on the laws.
Shortly after the meeting was called off members of the Democratic Party in a press conference told members of the media that the people of St. Maarten needed to get answers as well as clarity on the state of affairs on the 2010 budget. Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams said the only person outside of the DP faction thought it important to discuss the budget was Commissioner Theo Heyliger since he signed in. When Heyliger signed in for the island council meeting he was heard saying to the members of the Democratic Party that he is returning the favor they granted him two weeks ago by giving him a quorum. Wescot Williams said the only reason they called the for the island council meeting was to get clarification on the budget since the National Alliance/Heyliger government was not providing answers to the island council during the central committee meetings.
Wescot Williams said the CFT was very clear to the executive council during their last meeting regarding the budget and they informed the Kingdom Council of Ministers that St. Maarten does not have a budget for the year 2010. Wescot Williams said Blackman adamantly said during the CFT meetings that government would continue with the handling of the budget as presented to the island council. Wescot Williams said at the time the Lt. Governor and Chairman of the island council advised the executive council to look at the draft budget once more prior to presenting it to the island council. Wescot Williams said based on the island ordinance the budget handling must pass through a particular process prior to it being approved. She said after some confusion the 2010 budget was presented to them. She said the when they received the final draft of the budget they posed several questions to the executive council whom she said provided some interesting answers. She further explained that during the CFT meeting it was stated that the executive council would have handled the budget on March 9 along with the advise of the CFT. Wescot Williams said that so far the Democratic Party does not know if any meeting was held on March 9 and what was the outcome of that meeting. As for the Democratic Party they believe that the advise of the CFT still stands. The DP leader said the people of St. Maarten need to know what is government's position on the 2010 budget and how would the executive council get around the proposals made by the CFT. She said the CFT has advised that the matters pertaining to country St. Maarten cannot be included in the budget unless there is a guarantee from the Central Government. Wescot Williams said her faction has questions pertaining to GEBE concession fee, the environmental fees, the condominium fee, the indexation of the civil servants salaries. So far, government has been providing elusive answers and they wanted clarification from government but members of the National Alliance refused to make that happen. She warned that the actions of government would not stop the Democratic Party as they have already requested another central committee meeting. Wescot Williams said that what took place on Thursday only strengthen their position on government's ability on handling the people's affairs and right now they have absolutely no confidence in government. She said already indicated to them that travelling expenses for the second part of 2009 has increased by 50%, yet several members of government has refused to bring clarity to the people of St. Maarten.

Island councilman Petrus Leroy De Weever in his statement said he is thankful for Heyliger's support but even Heyliger who is the deputy leader of government was not able to convince the members of the National Alliance to convene the meeting by providing the quorum. De Weever said on several occasions Heyliger has said that the current executive council has no regard for his opinion and this is indeed a sad day of St. Maarten since their actions will fall on the shoulders of the people. Also expressing concern was Island Council lady Maria Buncamper who said government's inaction would have far-reaching consequences for the island. Buncamper Molanus said one of their concerns with government is that they are spending monies that were allocated for one purpose on other things. Buncamper Molanus said St. Maarten is facing a daily challenge by the Netherlands who are saying that St. Maarten must prove that they are capable to handle the people's business prior to St. Maarten getting its country status.
The island council lady said Thursday's action by the National Alliance is an exposé of incapability and irresponsibility by government. Island Councilman Roy Marlin also indicated that the commissioner of tourism has been travelling almost everyday saying he is trying to bring in additional tourism from South America to St. Maarten. Marlin said he wants to know how the tourism commissioner could do so without a budget. Marlin said he held office for ten years and not once has the DP former executive council denied the opposition information. He said the minute the opposition deny information then they are thwarting on democracy.