August 05, 2026 No comments
Heyliger-Marten urges young men to put down guns and give themselves another chance
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Speaking both as a government minister and as the mother of three young men, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten appealed Wednesday directly to young men involved in guns, robberies and violence to step away before one night of foolishness ends in imprisonment, injury or death. "Fellas, hear me good. You may believe it is one quick robbery, one fight, one gun or one night of foolishness. But you are not only playing with your own future," Heyliger-Marten said during a live press briefing. "You are playing with your mother's job. You are threatening your neighbour's business. You are putting other young people's employment at risk. You are damaging the same island that...
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August 05, 2026 No comments
Heyliger-Marten advances Miami-Dade cooperation to expand business opportunities
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten is advancing efforts to build a structured economic relationship between Sint Maarten and Miami-Dade County, following a working visit with representatives of the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI). She outlined the initiative during a live press briefing on Wednesday. The delegation held meetings with the Office of the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Dutch Consulate in Miami. Discussions focused on trade, tourism, entrepreneurship, professional development, technical knowledge-sharing and greater access to international business networks. A proposal is being worked on for the Council of Ministers to approve moving forward with efforts to facilitate a possible sister-city...
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August 05, 2026 No comments
New Minister of VSA Connor appointed and sworn-in
SINT MAARTEN (HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG) — Today August 5, 2026, the new Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Claret Mac Miller Conner was appointed and sworn in by Her Excellency Acting Governor dr. Emiko Bird-Lake, the cabinet of the Governor said in a statement on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Acting Governor Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake gave the following speech: Chairlady of Parliament; Prime Minister; President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin; Ministers, Governor of Saba, Members of Parliament; Chief of Staff of the Prefect of Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin, Board member of the Audit Chamber, Secretary general of the Council of Ministers, Vice-President of the Joint Court of Justice; Commander of the Marines detachment on Sint. Maarten; Distinguished guests, ladies...
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August 05, 2026 No comments
URSM Board Congratulates Hon. Claret Connor on His Appointment as Minister of VSA
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Board of the Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) extends its warmest congratulations to the Honorable Claret Connor, who was sworn in this afternoon as Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA). “Minister Connor assumes responsibility for a portfolio that touches the daily lives of every resident of Sint Maarten. His extensive experience in public administration, institutional management and national development equips him to provide the focused and compassionate leadership that this important ministry requires,” the URSM Board stated. Minister Connor brings considerable knowledge and experience to the Council of Ministers. His years of leadership at the National Recovery Program Bureau, together with his previous service as a minister, have...
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August 05, 2026 No comments
Minister of Finance Gumbs says 237 Taxpayers Have Taken Advantage of Tax Payment Plan
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka J. Gumbs, is pleased to provide an update on the Government’s 24-month tax payment arrangement, introduced on February 16, 2026, to provide taxpayers with greater flexibility in settling their outstanding tax obligations. Since the introduction of the initiative, 237 taxpayers have taken advantage of the 24-month payment plan. Minister Gumbs welcomed this positive response, noting that it reflects a willingness among taxpayers to meet their obligations when practical and manageable payment solutions are available. The 24-month payment arrangement was introduced in direct response to concerns raised by taxpayers, many of whom indicated that the previous nine-month payment period did not provide sufficient time to comfortably settle their outstanding tax obligations. The...
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