PHILIPSBURG:--- Kadaster St. Maarten, Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) and Ministry of Finance are preparing to formalize their cooperation through a strategic commitment that is the first of its kind in the country. The agreement, whether finalized as a Memorandum of Understanding, national decree, or working arrangement, will establish a clear framework for how Government and Kadaster collaborate on land and spatial management.

At its core, the commitment is designed to bring greater efficiency, clarity, and continuity to processes that affect nearly every sector of national life. Without such a framework, projects vital to St. Maarten’s digital transformation and emergency readiness risk unnecessary delays, and data exchanges remain sensitive.

The partnership is expected to have an immediate impact on several initiatives already underway. Among them is the Address Management Solution Project, which involves VROMI, ICT, GIS4C, and Kadaster. Parcel and registry data maintained by Kadaster are central to this project, but in the absence of a formal agreement, integration has been challenging.

The framework will also improve the handling of land-related matters within Domain Affairs, ensuring that financial responsibilities are clearly addressed and that requests for services, from land assignment to the issuance of a measurement certificate and deed, are managed transparently and efficiently.

In the area of Infrastructure and New Works, closer cooperation will allow for more reliable data exchange, particularly through the Cables and Lines Information Center (CLIC). This system reduces the risk of damage during excavation projects, provides real-time information to construction and utility companies, and introduces cloud-based solutions that streamline permits and strengthen accountability in planning.

Another major priority is the establishment of a national Base Map of St. Maarten, replacing the multiple, unverified versions now in circulation. A single authoritative map will serve as a “Single Source of Truth” to guide hillside development, land use decisions, meetbriefs, and infrastructure integration. It will also support the roll-out of a National Addressing System, bringing uniformity to addresses across the country, enhancing navigation, improving public service delivery, and ensuring faster emergency response.

Both institutions will invest in capacity building, from joint training and internships to staff exchanges that deepen institutional knowledge. Building on Kadaster’s recent achievement of becoming officially GIS Ready with the deployment of its in-house Geographic Information System, the agreement will ensure that this platform is integrated across Government. By providing a secure environment to access, share, and protect spatial data, it will strengthen accuracy, accountability, and innovation in the way St. Maarten manages land and infrastructure.

To move the agreement toward finalisation, Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs, Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs, and their respective teams recently met with Kadaster Managing Director Benjamin Ortega to square the framework and next steps. The meeting highlights a shared commitment to ensuring that the agreement delivers practical benefits for governance, service delivery, and long-term national development.

Ortega underscored the importance of the move, “Kadaster has invested in training, digitisation, and GIS-readiness to better serve Government, the public, and private stakeholders. These efforts, however, will only reach their full potential through a strategic partnership with VROMI. This agreement is not just administrative; it is a foundation for the future of St. Maarten’s land and infrastructure management.”

Minister of VROMI said, “The integration of our different systems represents not only a move towards quality, singular source of information, but an enhancement of public service. The move to integrated digital systems will improve both our permitting processing, project management, and domain land management capacities, as well as allow for rapid government response to critical infrastructure and enforcement. This is a step towards proper spatial planning and underscores our commitment to sustainable national development, through strategic long-term partnerships.”

And the Minister of Finance said, “This partnership represents a forward-looking investment in how St. Maarten manages its land, data, and infrastructure. By aligning Government and Kadaster under one clear framework, we create stronger financial oversight, greater transparency, and a foundation that supports innovation, resilience, and long-term prosperity for our country.”

Once signed, the agreement will signal a significant development in St. Maarten’s governance. For the first time, Government and Kadaster will set out a formal strategic understanding to ensure efficiency, transparency, and continuity in the stewardship of the country’s most vital assets: its land, infrastructure, and spatial data.

Willemstad:---  For the first time, a joint overview of mental healthcare on the Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands is available. With this Regional Mental Healthcare Report for the Caribbean, the Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Federation (DCMH) presents a first: a clear and comparable picture of the nature and extent of mental health problems in the region.

Milestone in Collaboration

The Regional Mental Healthcare Report for the Caribbean is an important step for DCMH and contributes to better coordination and increased knowledge sharing. DCMH consists of the organizations FSMA Respaldo (Aruba), GGZ Curaçao, Addiction Clinic Brasami (Curaçao), PSI Skuchami (Curaçao), Mental Health Foundation (Sint Maarten), and Mental Health Caribbean (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba). In total, data were collected from nearly 8,400 clients across five islands. Most clients receive care on their own island, while a smaller portion receive treatment on another island within the Kingdom.

Most Common Conditions 

The regional overview shows, among other things, which mental health conditions are most common. Psychotic disorders are at the top. These are conditions in which people have difficulty distinguishing reality from thoughts. They may, for example, experience delusions or hallucinations. Depressive mood disorders follow. Neurodevelopmental disorders are in third place. These are disorders such as ADHD or autism, which often become apparent at a young age and are related to the way the brain develops. Trauma- and stress-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are in fourth place. These disorders develop after traumatic or shocking events and can lead to anxiety, tension, and sleep problems. The fact that these four groups are the most common provides important information about the focus of care on the islands.

Basis for Policy and Research 

According to DCMH, the regional overview not only offers a unique perspective on mental healthcare in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, but also forms an important basis for future policy, improved care, and further research. The federation has therefore decided to continue the monitoring. 

Kingston, Jamaica:--- For the period 2020 – 2024, roughly 168 Jamaican children were murdered, while from 2019 – 2023, 619 women were killed. Statistics from 2023 show that over 80% of Jamaica’s murder victims were men.

For singer Aaron Silk, enough is enough, and his new song and video, "Painful Birth," signal his call to action for all Jamaicans to take a stand against violence.

“Painful Birth for me is more than just an ordinary song—it's a tribute, a protest, and a prayer. It struck a chord deep inside me, and I knew I had to liberate it to serve its purpose,” said Silk.

The just-released single was written by Michael Orrett and produced by Tru-Frequency Music based in Canada. A very poignant song, it gives a heartfelt lament echoing the grief, resilience, and hope of mothers who have lost their children to the harsh realities of life - especially in inner-city communities. Through vivid imagery, spiritual references, and emotional rawness, the lyrics convey a deep sense of sorrow, questioning, and ultimately, strength.

“I wrote the song, but Aaron owned it. He made it his and delivered an exceptional rendition with his captivating voice,” said Orrett, explaining that for him, it was a modern-day ballad of resistance and remembrance, giving voice to the voiceless and offering solace to grieving hearts.

The song has been released on all major platforms such as Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, Boomplay, Amazon Music, the iTunes Store, Spotify, etc. (Mike to add where else it is available).  The accompanying music video, which was set in Jamaica, features noted Jamaican Actress Audrey Reid as the grieving mother and several other local talents. It was shot by Fareye Productions and is slated for release on X.

“This one hit deep. We want to call on everyone, men, women, boys, politicians, churches, all of us to come forward and take action to stop violence. In the video, the mother transformed her pain into purpose and made sure that her son’s death was not in vain. We want to ensure that other mothers don’t have to go through her experience, and our sons and daughters don’t die before fulfilling their dreams and mission,” said Silk.

French Quarter, St. Martin:--- Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House will host three free activities on the morning of Saturday, September 20th. The Les Fruits de Mer association will lead a guided tour of the Amuseum at 10 am. The Société d'Histoire de Saint-Martin will present exhibits about St. Martiners in World War I, World War II, and the Algerian War in two sessions, at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The Soualiwomen Kultural Association (SKA) will give two demonstrations of traditional Johnny Cake baking at 9 am and 10:30 am.

All of the activities are free. They are part of the celebration of Heritage Days organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Collectivity of St. Martin. Limited spaces are available for each activity. A signup link is posted on the social media accounts of the Collectivity of St. Martin.

“We are excited to host three activities showcasing St. Martin's history and culture,” said Les Fruits de Mer president Jenn Yerkes. “Sign up, come out, and enjoy the Amuseum and the great work of our partners SKA and the Société d’Histoire!”

Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House will be open to the public on Saturday, September 20th from 9 am-noon. Those who are unable to attend one of the scheduled activities are still welcome to stop by to visit.