PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Stuart Johnson, held a productive meeting last Thursday morning with Mr. Gregory Richardson, a proud son of the soil of St. Maarten, his Chief of Staff, and his sister, Peggy Ann-Dros.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Mercelina expressed his admiration for Mr. Richardson’s distinguished role as Global Vice President, Advisory Chief Information Security Officer at BlackBerry Corporation. He emphasized Mr. Richardson’s leadership in global cybersecurity and secure communications, praising him as a shining example of St. Maarten talent making a meaningful impact on the world stage.

The Prime Minister also recognized Mr. Richardson’s achievements as an author, highlighting his recently published book, 6 Technology Levers: The Non-Developer’s Guide to Spotting Million-Dollar Problems and Building AI-Powered Solutions.

“We had a fruitful and constructive discussion that reconfirmed not only the immense opportunities technology offers to small island nations like ours but also the brilliance and leadership of one of our very own,” stated Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina. “Mr. Richardson is a dynamic St. Maartener whose work and vision are a source of pride for our people. His insights into the ethical application of artificial intelligence and the critical importance of secure communications are invaluable, and his success demonstrates the world-class talent that comes from St. Maarten.”

With over three decades of entrepreneurial and cybersecurity expertise, Mr. Richardson has pioneered AI-powered security solutions, championed secure communications, and built successful ventures across multiple sectors. His commitment to ethical, faith-driven leadership strongly aligns with the values guiding Sint Maarten’s development journey.

Prime Minister Mercelina further added, “I am inspired by Mr. Richardson’s thought leadership and his dedication to uplifting others through technology and innovation. His book is not just a guide for business leaders but also a blueprint for responsible growth and prosperity. It is a contribution that reflects the excellence of a true son of St. Maarten.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament Omar Ottley is sounding an urgent alarm regarding the ongoing situation at Telem, following a series of reports from the company’s employees, their union representatives, and management. The recent media coverage has brought to light serious concerns about the welfare of Telem employees, and it is crucial that we address these issues with immediate and decisive action.

Telem has faced significant scrutiny in recent weeks, with various employees expressing their deep concerns over what they describe as neglect from the government. “As a former Minister of VSA and a current representative of the people, I stand firmly against any form of neglect towards employees. It is our duty to ensure that all employees are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve”, said Ottley

Whether the concerns made by employees and unions align with the management's narrative is secondary to the fact that there is a clear discontent among those who keep this company running. The government must step in to mediate and resolve these concerns before they get out of control.

Omar Ottley emphasizes that if the Ministers feel they should remain hands off in this matter, it is imperative to involve a government mediator to facilitate constructive dialogue. Failure to act now could lead to a continuous decline in Telem’s overall performance and reputation.

“This release serves as a warning to the Government. Something is not right within Telem. We must address these issues before it is too late,” Ottley added. “Workers are the backbone of every company, and it is time for the Government to listen and take action.”

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Heatwaves, or heat and hot weather that can last for several days, can have a significant impact on society, including a rise in heat-related deaths. 

Vulnerability to heat is shaped by both physiological factors, such as age and health status, and exposure factors such as occupation, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA) points out.

Heatwaves are among the most dangerous of natural hazards that have a significant impact on society,

Considering extreme warm temperatures, which can affect one’s health, CPS is cautioning persons to take the necessary steps to stay cool and hydrated. 

What actions can you take to protect your health from heat?

Stay out of the heat; avoid going outside and doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of day. Stay in the shade. Remember that perceived temperatures in the sun can be 10–15 ˚C higher.

Spend two to three hours during the day in a cool place. Be aware of the risk of drowning. Never swim alone. Stay informed about official heat warnings from the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten.

Keep your home cool. Use the night air to cool down your home by opening windows after dark when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature. During the day when outdoor temperatures are higher than indoors, close windows and cover them with blinds or shutters to block direct sunlight.

Turn off as many electrical devices as possible. Use electric fans only when temperatures are below 40 ˚C / 104 ˚F. In temperatures above 40 ˚C / 104 ˚F, fans will heat the body. If using air conditioning, set the thermostat to 27 ˚C / 81 ˚F and turn on an electric fan – this will make the room feel 4 ˚C cooler.

Remember that it may be cooler outdoors in the shade.

Keep your body cool and hydrated. Use light and loose-fitting clothing and bed linens. Take cool showers or baths. Wet your skin using a damp cloth, spray, or wet light clothing.

Drink water regularly (one cup of water per hour and at least two to three litres per day). Regularly check in with vulnerable people in your circle – especially people over 65 years old and those with heart, lung or kidney conditions, a disability, and living alone.

Protect infants and children. Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles for any amount of time, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high. Avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, seeking shade or staying indoors instead. Shade can reduce how hot you feel by more than 10 °C.

Never cover an infant stroller / pram with dry fabric – this makes it hotter inside the carriage. Instead, use a wet, thin cloth and re-wet as necessary to lower the temperature. Combine with a portable fan for even greater cooling.

Dress children in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers their skin, and use wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect them from the sun’s rays. Follow the guidance on keeping your home cool to maintain a safe indoor temperature.

When you’re out in the hot sun, use sunscreen with SPF of 30 and/or an umbrella.

Avoid unnecessary strenuous physical activities if you are outside or in a building without air-conditioning. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim and use shades to protect your eyes from ultraviolet over exposure.

Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets and leave the water in a shady area.

CPS reminds the public of Sint Maarten during days when it’s extremely warm, take the necessary measures to protect themselves and family against heat-related illness.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Clive Richardson, is calling on residents and the business community to continue to remain vigilant and prepared.

According to weather forecasters, the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is going through a lull period. The quiet period has to do with widespread unfavorable conditions for storm development, and ODM is advising all not to become complacent, thinking storm formation is over.

Forecasters indicate that the longer-range weather model guidance expects that the second half of September and the first half of October could be quite active with storm activity across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Monitor local weather reports from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/ as the country is now in the peak period of the season.

The remaining 2025 storm names are: Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and to find a list of official resources, please visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane, where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart,” or you can use the following link: https://shorturl.at/VbaxC

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during, and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather-related news and information, as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

The hurricane season runs through November 30.