SINT MA ARTEN (GREAT BAY) - During his first radio interview since leaving office, former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Richinel Brug addressed the question many have been asking: What is next for Richinel Brug?

Speaking on PJD2 Radio Wednesday evening, Brug emphasized that he is carefully considering the possibilities before him.

“I am grateful to the many political parties that have reached out and asked me to consider joining their political lists,” Brug said. “I am also grateful to the people of Sint Maarten for their overwhelming and unexpected support. Many have come to me and said, ‘Wherever you go, we will follow.’”

He said others have encouraged him to take a different path.

“I also want to thank those who have come to me and said, ‘I believe it is time for you to start your own political party, and we will support you one hundred percent,’” Brug said.

According to Brug, the encouragement has not come only from those who have supported him in the past but rather the opposite and surprising to him many business persons within the community. Young and older members of the community have also approached him about becoming candidates under his leadership.

“They have come to me and said, ‘If you lead, we will be on that slate with you’.

Brug said he is humbled by the confidence people have placed in him and does not take their support lightly.

During the interview, Brug reflected on his 18 months in office and thanked the people of Sint Maarten for supporting him both during his tenure and following his departure.

Some key accomplishments during Brug’s 18 months as VSA Minister includes:

*Prioritized seniors through the Ageing with Dignity Conference, a national ageing framework and steps toward restoring the Council for the Elderly.

*Launched and extended a dignity-based food-support programme for vulnerable senior households.

*Distributed approximately 1,000 bags of fresh produce and initiated quarterly food distributions for vulnerable residents.

*Launched a six-month homelessness programme providing meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, outreach and pathways toward self-sufficiency.

*Introduced the GEBE Utility Relief Programme, assisting an average of 238 vulnerable households monthly during its first quarter.

*Restarting the Job Fair.

*Submitted SER requests to modernize financial assistance by establishing a poverty line, increasing support in qualifying cases by up to XCG 300, and raising funeral assistance from XCG 4,500 to XCG 9,000.

*Submitted labour-permit and fee reforms intended to prioritize local workers while allowing businesses to recruit foreign expertise when genuinely unavailable locally.

*Finalized the ten-year National Mental Health Strategic Plan, secured implementation funding and launched the “It’s OK Not 2 B OK” youth campaign.

*Secured mental-health support for VSA staff, including awareness sessions, psychological assistance and a staff recovery room.

*Established “Minister in Your Neighbourhood,” bringing VSA services directly into communities.

*Secured an Ambulance Unit at the Festival Village and signed a covenant addressing working conditions and longstanding employee concerns.

*Secured an Interim Inspector General of IVSA after years without stable medical leadership.

*Led a health mission to Colombia that opened recruitment pathways to doctors registered within European professional systems.

*Created opportunities for permanent and structured rotating (European BIG registered) doctors at SMMC, along with medical training and institutional cooperation.

*Introduced a VSA management dashboard to monitor departmental objectives, budgets, timelines and results.

*Procured laptops for VSA employees and secured additional legal, legislative and technical support for the Ministry.

*Strengthened IVSA’s oversight capacity through externally funded technical and institutional support.

*Oversaw increases in the statutory minimum wage and maximum AOV pension.

*Advanced the healthcare-professionals registry, General Health Insurance legislation and mental-health legislative reform.

*Began structurally modernizing VSA through strategic planning, staff development, digitization and evidence-based management.

*Put country above party politics: Worked constructively with ministers and MPs from both the coalition and opposition—including expanding the school breakfast program with MP Sjamira Roseburg, raising the funeral assistance with MP Doran, supporting the animal spaying and neutering initiative with MP Francisco Lacroes, and ensuring that SZV honored their commitment to ECYS by funding a new multi-sport court at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex in Cay Hill. This cooperation showed that meaningful results are possible when Sint Maarten’s interests come first.

During his interview, Brug also expressed his appreciation to the civil servants within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor for their dedication, professionalism and support. Brug emphasized that the ministry’s accomplishments were the result of a collective effort involving civil servants and his cabinet.

He made clear that losing his ministerial title has not ended his commitment to public service. As part of that continued commitment, Brug announced that he is organizing a special initiative for the island’s seniors in observance of the International Day of Older Persons on October 1. Further details will be announced in due course.

Brug ended the interview on a hopeful note, telling the people of Sint Maarten that he intends to remain involved in shaping the country’s future.

“Your humble servant, Richinel Brug, will be one of the deciding factors in the next election.”

While stopping short of announcing his next political move, Brug’s remarks made clear that forming his own party is among the options under serious consideration.

He concluded by thanking Moore, PJD2 Radio and the people of Sint Maarten.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Following the interview with Chairlady Wescot-Williams, Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley finds it very disheartening to hear the same information that he has been screaming for the past two years is what is being highlighted today, the MP said in a press statement on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

MP Ottley remains very concerned about the Government’s/Coalition’s slow pace in taking action. “The people cannot afford to keep waiting when decisions need to be made”, stated MP Ottley.

As parliament received the 2027 Budget, MP Ottley is praying that some form of relief for GEBE has been included. However, this is difficult to fathom when the Government continues to say that it is waiting for yet another report from the Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP), even though the first BTP report was already issued in April 2025.

After 18 months and counting from the initial RAC - BTP Report, The People of St. Maarten are still waiting for action. If the new information received by the Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BTP) confirms the concerns surrounding GEBE's electricity tariffs and costs, What then? Ottley once again reiterates to regulate via Ministerial Regulation utilizing the Price Ordinance and absence of a LBHAM.

If and when the ‘new’ information confirms what has been argued all along, then government can no longer hide behind the excuse that the matter is still being studied. For two years, MP Ottley has been warning that the cost of electricity is placing an unacceptable burden on households and businesses.

At a certain period the fuel clause was going up while the price of oil per barrel was going down. He has repeatedly called on government to use the tools available, and since the government seems hesitant to adjust the tariff via MR then use its power to regulate the maximum prices on fuel imported for the purpose of electricity production.

Yet, the Government of Sint Maarten appears to be very proud of having submitted the 2027 budget on time. But submitting a budget on time is not the same as submitting a budget that actually addresses the problems confronting the people of Sint Maarten. An on-time budget means very little if it has zero revenue generating measures and doesn’t ease the burden of the people.

The MP has presented multiple motions, did town hall meetings, submitted a petition signed by the public and submitted a draft Ministerial Regulation to assist the people of St. Maarten. Despite his efforts the government has taken zero action, and we remain no step closer to seeing relief.

The people have waited through reports. They have waited through consultations. They have waited for regulatory changes. They have waited for promises of relief. And now they are being presented with Budget 2027. If there is no meaningful allocation or concrete mechanism for GEBE relief in that budget, then government must explain why.

The irony is difficult to ignore: government appears eager to meet the deadline for submitting a budget, while the people continue waiting for a government that meets its responsibility to provide regulation.

MP Ottley will meet with the government of Sint Maarten for a second time to address the continued high cost of living and the urgent need for meaningful relief for households and businesses on September 15th. Last attempt was in November 2025 with the Minister of TEATT where MP Ottley presented a draft Ministerial Regulation based on the Price Ordinance aimed at regulating maximum prices for water, electricity, HFO, LFO and Lubricants. This time, the meeting will be with Prime Minister Luc Mercelina.

MP Ottley’s aim to reiterate to the Government the tools currently available in hopes that transparency on electricity and fuel prices can be provided within months and not another year and half, as suggested by the current Government’s proposal of regulation via an LBHAM.

During the upcoming meeting, MP Ottley will again highlight the Price Ordinance and the ability of Government to regulate maximum prices and profit margins where necessary. The people of Sint Maarten have heard enough about studies, frameworks and future intentions. They need to see and feel the difference in their monthly bills and their daily cost of living.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - A child’s journey into reading begins long before they can read their first word. Listening to a story, looking at pictures, singing songs, and talking about a book help young children develop language, imagination, communication skills, and a foundation for future learning. These simple moments can also create positive experiences that encourage children to develop a lifelong love of books.

As part of its “From Peekaboo to Possibilities” campaign, the Sint Maarten Library is hosting its Early Learners Babies & Toddlers Campaign from September 1 to 19, 2026. The initiative focuses on children ages 0 to 6 and encourages parents, caregivers, educators, and the wider community to make reading and storytelling part of young children’s everyday lives.

The campaign has been underway since September 1, with community readers visiting participating day-care centers and early stimulation schools across Sint Maarten through September 17. During these visits, readers share stories with babies and toddlers, bringing books to life and demonstrating how reading, talking, and storytelling can become an enjoyable part of a young child’s daily routine.

A special Author Story Time will complement the community-reading program on September 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Vine Yard Office Park. The Sint Maarten Library in collaboration with Collective Prevention Services hosts the session. Author Ingrid T. Fyffe will share her children’s book, A Cupcake’s Journey, with children and families. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring their little ones for a morning of stories, imagination, and shared reading.

The importance of early reading will take center stage on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during a Panel Discussion at the University of St. Martin from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The discussion will explore the benefits of introducing children to books from an early age and provide practical insight into how parents, caregivers, and educators can support early literacy and language development.

The panel will feature Chevon James of P2C Logopaedics Consultative Services, Speech and Language; Lorraine Leacock of Kinetic Melodies; D’Antoinette Roger-Sorton of Enable Holistic Occupational Therapy; and Ivanca Sterling of Collective Prevention Services (CPS). Ingeborg De Weever will moderate the discussion. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend and learn more about ways to support their children’s early reading, language, communication, and overall development.

The program continues on Thursday, September 17, 2026, with an Author Workshop featuring Amy Arrindell, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sint Maarten Library. The workshop will focus on incorporating reading, storytelling, and meaningful interaction into everyday life with young children, giving parents and caregivers practical ideas they can use at home. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend this workshop and gain practical tools and ideas to support their young children’s development.

The campaign will culminate on Saturday, September 19, 2026; with a Grand Early Learners Celebration at Emilio Wilson Park from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Families can enjoy story time, a puppet show, capoeira, arts and crafts, literacy activities, and entertainment for young children.

Parents who wish for their children to participate in the Miniature Book Character Parade, led by the Generation New Status Drum Band, can contact the Sint Maarten Library for more information.

The celebration will begin with the Grand Miniature Book Character Parade at 10:00 a.m. Children are invited to dress as their favorite book character and join families from across the community in celebrating books, imagination, and learning. Refreshments and face painting will also be available for purchase.

Through “From Peekaboo to Possibilities,” the Sint Maarten Library is reminding families that it is never too early to begin reading. A few minutes of sharing a book each day can introduce a child to new words, new ideas, and new possibilities.

The Library invites families to take part in the campaign and discover how something as simple as sharing a story can help give a child a strong start in learning.

From Peekaboo to Possibilities — one story, one conversation, one book at a time.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, shortly before 5:00 PM, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) received several calls of an armed robbery at a Chinese supermarket located on Jordan Road in the Cupe-coy area.

According to preliminary information, two men, dressed in dark clothing and on a scooter, entered the supermarket and robbed the establishment while threatening those present with a firearm. After committing the robbery, the suspects fled the area on the scooter in an unknown direction.

A KPSM patrol unit was immediately dispatched to assist with the robbery report. While responding to the call with its siren and emergency warning signals activated, the patrol vehicle, L-160, was involved in a traffic accident on Welfare Road, near the IGY Simpson Bay Marina.

Preliminary information indicates that the driver of a white Ford Edge was reversing onto Welfare Road near Beakers Restaurant as the police vehicle approached. The driver of L-160 took evasive action to avoid a collision, subsequently losing control of the vehicle and striking a traffic signal pole and fencing belonging to IGY Simpson Bay Marina.

The two officers inside the police vehicle were transported for medical evaluation. One officer reported back pain and injuries to his right hand, while the other reported pain to his right middle finger.

The circumstances surrounding both the armed robbery and the traffic accident are being further investigated.

KPSM is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or has information regarding the two suspects or the scooter used in the robbery to contact the police at 542-2222 or the anonymous tip line at 9300.

The investigation remains ongoing.