January 31, 2026 No comments
MP Roseburg Repeats New Year Initiative for Foster Children
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - As January came to a close, Member of Parliament (MP) Sjamira Roseburg once again brought hope and inspiration to foster children in St. Maarten by repeating her New Year initiative in partnership with Pineapple Pete Restaurant and Nowhere Special. What started as a simple idea has now become a meaningful tradition focused on encouraging children to dream big and believe in themselves. Through her foundation, The Voice of the Community Foundation, about 20 foster children were invited to a special lunch. The day was not only about food, but about showing the children through real people and real moments that their dreams are possible. The children had the chance to meet and interact with familiar local faces...
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January 30, 2026 No comments
New composition of the Boards of financial supervision
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – On January 30th, 2026, the (Kingdom) Council of Ministers agreed with the appointment of Prof. Dr. Paul Hilbers as new member of the three Boards on the recommendation of the Netherlands. Mr. Hilbers succeeds Mr. Hans Hoogervorst. Earlier, on October 31st, 2025, the (Kingdom) Council of Ministers appointed Mr. Hans Hoogervorst, MA, as Chair of the three Boards of financial supervision (Cft), succeeding Ms. Lidewijde Ongering, MA, who held the position of Chair for three years. Both Paul Hilbers and Hans Hoogervorst will assume their new positions as from February 1st, 2026. After having studied Math at the Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht and Econometrics and International Economy at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, Paul Hilbers pursued a career in...
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January 30, 2026 No comments
Minister of Finance Clarifies Justice Payroll Taxation and Corrects Inaccuracies
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, has addressed recent claims regarding the taxation of Justice personnel, clarifying that extraordinary tax is not applied to regular monthly salaries. Instead, extraordinary tax applies solely to extraordinary income components such as vacation allowance, gratifications, bonuses, and other one-time payments. The Minister’s clarification follows a recent article published by a Member of Parliament in which concerns were raised regarding the taxation of Justice personnel. While the concerns are understood, the information presented in the article was not entirely accurate and requires correction to avoid misunderstanding among employees and the wider public. Minister Gumbs explained that the issue originated from a lump-sum payment made in 2024, which temporarily placed some Justice...
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January 30, 2026 No comments
KPSM Congratulates Officer Vanessa Martina on Successful Completion of International Police Training in Abu Dhabi
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) proudly congratulates Police Officer Vanessa Martina on the successful completion of an intensive international police training program at the Abu Dhabi Police College in the United Arab Emirates. Officer Martina was selected to participate in the IACP / UAE Ministry of Interior Police Academy Exchange Program, an international initiative organized in collaboration with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI). This prestigious program brought together police officers from various countries for advanced professional development. The training program commenced in September 2025 and spanned a period of five months, during which Officer Martina underwent comprehensive academy-style training. The curriculum included physical fitness, marching,...
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January 30, 2026 No comments
The Sint Maarten Lion Club Hosts District Governor Lion Judy King PMJF
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint Maarten Lions Club had the distinct honor of welcoming District Governor 60B, Lion Judy King PMJF, during her recent official visit to the island. This visit marked the final stop of her Region 2 tour and was both meaningful and impactful for Lions and Leos alike. Upon her arrival, District Governor Lion King was afforded the opportunity to meet with the leaders of this country: Prime Minister Honorable Dr. Luc Mercelina and President of Parliament, Honorable Mrs. Sarah Wescott Williams. These meetings provided an informative discussion about St. Maarten, the role of government in serving its people, and the appreciation for the vital contributions of the Sint Maarten Lions Club within the community. Accompanied by Lion...
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