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Soualiga News Today (4837)

Prime Ministers Gumbs, Asjes focus on continued good relations between both countries

PHILIPSBURG - Prime Minister of St. Maarten Marcel Gumbs and Prime Minister of Curacao Ivar Asjes both dubbed the latter’s visit as important in establishing a basis for continued good relations between the two countries.

PM Asjes continued his working trip to St. Maarten on Monday by meeting with Governor Eugene Holiday, President of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson and Prime Minister Gumbs who was also joined by Minister of Finance Martin Hassink and Minister of Education Rita Bourne-Gumbs. Prime Minister Gumbs also met with Curacao’s Minister of Economic Affairs Stanley Palm on Sunday evening.

PM Asjes said it is always a pleasure coming to St. Maarten and that efforts are underway to strengthen the cooperation across various areas.  “We are partners in the Kingdom so have to work together regarding current issues now playing in the Dutch Kingdom,” PM Asjes said.

“We both want to ensure that the rule of law is applied within the Dutch Kingdom and the manner in which our countries deal with each other. Curacao supports the rule of law and we support the correct use of the statute,” he said, adding that Curacao is also working on a proposal regarding the dispute arrangement to present to Aruba and St. Maarten.

PM Asjes also said it is his preference to see the continuation of meeting between the prime ministers of the Dutch Caribbean based on the ARIKOK agreement of 2010. He said it was proposed to PM Gumbs for St. Maarten to host a third meeting in St. Maarten to foster closer ties and strengthen the working relationship.

PM Gumbs said: “We believe that it is important to have and maintain good relations between Kingdom partners. We were able during this visit (of Asjes) to discuss some pending matters affecting both Curacao and St. Maarten, including how to proceed with the Foundation Economic Development SEO (an entity under the former Antillean constellation) and support for St. Maarten regarding various integrity issues.” (Press Secretariat Government of Sint Maarten, Council of Ministers)

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Former Sundial Student Evers Currently attending Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College Achieves a 3.52 GPA and makes the Dean’s List

PHILIPSBURG/PENNSYLVANIA – 22-year old former Sundial School student Shahyra Evers, who is currently enrolled in Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, has applied for Study Financing in order to continue with her studies at the aforementioned educational institution where she has a grade point average (GPA) of 3.52.

Shahyra applied last year for study financing and is awaiting an answer, but in the meantime left the country on January 2nd to continue with her studies.

Arthur Lugisse, Director of the Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation Inc. (TLH-SXMF) met Anne-Marie Gane, mother of Shahyra Evers, and was informed about how well she is doing in college.  Anne-Marie Gane has been working at SXM Airport for 20-years and is currently a Customer Information Representative.

Anne-Marie Gane spoke with Lugisse about studying financing possibilities in the United States due to his past experience while working in Tallahassee.  Evers mother is hoping that her daughter will get study financing from the Government of Sint Maarten as she can no longer afford to pay for her daughters studies.  Shahyra has also exhausted her savings as well – money saved up while working – and is now hoping that she will get study financing in order to make her dream come true.

“I have used my savings to put my child in college.  I am so proud of her, because she is doing very well.  I have presented the various documents necessary for study financing, and these have been submitted prior to the January 15 deadline.  We started this tedious process back in 2014, but we see light at the end of the tunnel,” Anne-Marie Gane pointed out.

Evers started at Walnut Hill College in September 2014 after applying and being accepted, to the Associates Degree in Pastry Arts Program.  The College is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Shahyra Evers did five years at Sundial School attending the hospitality study.  A former student of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School, Evers completed Sundial in July 2011.  Thereafter she entered the labour market and worked at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino as a pastry assistant from December 2011 up until July 2014.  At the end of her work experience, Evers was presented with an “Employee of the Month Award.”

After studying at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College for four months, Evers made the Dean’s List and was presented with the “Dean’s Award” for achieving a GPA between 3.50 and 3.75 for the September 2014 term.

Evers says the college she is attending is very nice and small with approximately 400 students; and where you receive individual assistance, and the approach is hands-on similar to the Sundial School.  

Once Evers completes her studies, she is looking forward to returning home and working either in the hospitality sector as a qualified Pastry Chef or starting her own pastry business.  

Shahyra Evers has received several letters of reference from Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino including one from the Executive Chef Iwan Pennings who pointed out how Evers started at the hotel with very little experience but over the time has developed some solid pastry skills and became the right hand of the pastry chef.

Pennings added in his recommendation letter that Evers has the capability to become a great hospitality professional. 

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Minister Connor: Concerns of timeshare Industry has government’s attention

PHILIPSBURG - Minister of Tourism Claret Connor on Wednesday assured timeshare owners in general that their grievances and complaints of lack of protection have not fallen on deaf ears and their continued contribution to the economy is very important to destination St. Maarten. The Minister sympathized with disgruntled former Caravanserai owners and used the opportunity to set in motion serious discussions about protecting the vital timeshare industry.     

He said though government knows and appreciates the industry and its players, legislation must reflect protection measures for the industry. “The impression that some of our timeshare owners has that government does not care is unfortunate. Government on the other hand must look at the industry as a priority area that needs addressing. We cannot think we will be able to sustain the industry if the stakeholders of the industry feel that their investments are not secure,” the Minister said.

Minister Connor wants a better and in-depth understanding about the sales structure of timeshare properties and/or affiliates operating on St. Maarten and is exploring ways to gather this information accurately and efficiently. 

He also mentioned reviewing the draft legislation to amend the civil code to include certain specific aspects related to the timeshare industry as submitted to Parliament by former Member of Parliament Leroy DeWeever.

With significant input from Professor Jan de Boer and other experts and timeshare stakeholders, the "bottom line" intent of the law is to establish consumer protection where a long-term relationship is developed with the consumer. In other words, to establish protection applicable to a consumer's long-term relationship with a commercial entity that has control of the accommodations which are part of a timeshare property.

The in-depth piece of legislation includes in detail, but is not limited to, the developer's obligations, the contract between parties, roles of the managing entity, focus on the termination or suspension of the rights of a user of a timeshare license, advertising and sales, timeshare resale and so on. (Press Secretariat Sint Maarten Government, Council of Ministers)

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MP Wescot-Williams says IPKO discussions respectful and bent on reaching understanding and moving forward. Permanent committee meeting to be called soon

SINT MAARTEN/ARUBA – Chairlady of the Sint Maarten permanent committee for Kingdom Affairs and Inter-parliamentary Relations Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams in a statement on Sunday, January 11, pointed out that it has already been asserted by all delegations coming out of the Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) meetings on Aruba, that the discussions were respectful and all parties were clearly bent on reaching an understanding on the matters at hand and moving forward.

“It is important for the sake of the general public, to explain the purpose of these IPKO meetings and their scope. These meetings, going back many years, are aimed to bring the four parliaments of the Kingdom (ed the Netherlands, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Aruba) together to discuss topics of mutual interest and concern. Topics can be proposed by any of the four parliaments and are jointly agreed upon.

“Usually, the discussions in IPKO end in resolutions to request the respective governments to follow up and provide content within the parameters agreed to by the Parliaments.

“In order to prepare discussion papers on the topics for handling in subsequent IPKO meetings, smaller committees out of the IPKO delegations are commissioned with a particular task. For most of the topics on last week's agenda, committees were already working on papers on education, the economy, youth, discrimination and integrity.

“It is true that follow-up by Sint Maarten from the last IPKO meeting in 2014 was not optimal due to of course the election, a new parliament etc. On the other hand, Sint Maarten was able to provide valuable input into the different discussions on Aruba, having had first-hand experience in matters such as interpretation differences of the Charter, Kingdom instructions etc.

“IPKOs are also good platforms to exchange information, and present best practices.
All in all, I believe concrete achievements coming from IPKO meetings, in addition to participating in the meetings, are also very dependent on collaboration with the respective governments and the preparatory work to be done by the respective parliaments, mostly via their permanent commissions.

“A debriefing meeting of the permanent commission for Kingdom Affairs and Internal Relations of the Sint Maarten parliament will be held soonest,” Chairlady of the Sint Maarten permanent committee for Kingdom Affairs and Inter-parliamentary Relations Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Sunday.

Members of the Sint Maarten permanent committee for Kingdom Affairs and Inter-parliamentary Relations are: MPs Marlin, W; Richardson, F.; Marlin-Romeo, L.; de Weever, C.; and Matser, S.. (DP Parliamentary Faction)

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Best interests of Sint Maarten was top priority for MP Marlin-Romeo at Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation

SINT MAARTEN/ARUBA - The Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) ended successfully after five days of intense open discussions, Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Leona Marlin-Romeo said on Sunday in a press release.

“St. Maarten can be assured that her best interests were placed as priority from the delegation that was present. Our people can look forward to the following developments that derived from ongoing discussions in previous IPKO meetings, repayment of school tuitions to DUO in the US currency; scholarship funding for studies in the region; cooperation with other islands in Energy related issues; participation in the upcoming Health Care Congress; and the possibility for an Inter-island Ferry Transportation system,” MP Hon. Leona Marlin-Romeo said on Sunday. 

The highlight of the meeting that proved to be challenging and intense is the development of a Dispute Regulation, the MP pointed out. 

Such a regulation is needed and vital especially in cases where there are differences within the Kingdom. This sort of regulation will level the playing field, and there will no longer be the notion of “might is right”. 

“The fight to be recognized as an equal in the Kingdom will always be a struggle for the former Antilles unless the government and the people decide otherwise.  It is important for the people of Sint Maarten to understand that there is a struggle for power and this was evident on the subject matter of establishing a dispute regulation.

“A consensus was finally found leading to the signing of the Inter-parliamentary Appointment list.  It is important that delegations attending these consultations come prepared and be unified in echoing one message of their respective country regardless of party faction.

“A house divided cannot stand. Consultations such as the IPKO are important and in this struggle all hands must be on deck, and this includes the people, the government and Parliament,” MP Hon. Leona Marlin-Romeo concluded.

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Political parties are reminded to submit donation registrations

PHILIPSBURG - The Electoral Council would like to remind all registered political parties, this also includes those parties that are registered with the Electoral Council but did not participate in the last Parliamentary Elections, that in accordance with the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties they are required to submit a chronological register of donations of all donations received in 2014, be it cash, check or in kind, before February 1st, 2015.

The Electoral Council would also like to announce that the political parties are to complete their register of donations via an online database that the Electoral Council established for this purpose.

Within short, each political party will receive an email message with instructions on how to access the database in order to be able to complete the registration digitally. (Electoral Council)

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Gasoline and Diesel Prices go Down on Monday, January 12

PHILIPSBURG – On Monday, January 12 fuel pump prices will once again go down due to the worldwide plummet in oil prices. 

The current price of unleaded gasoline is Naf.2.067 per liter; the new price will be Naf.1.957 per liter as of Monday.

The current price of diesel is Naf.1.781 per liter; the new price will be Naf.1.697 per liter as of Monday.

The Government of Sint Maarten regulates the prices of petroleum products by imposing a maximum price at which wholesalers and retailers can sell these products in the country.

On the international level, the prices of crude oil have experienced adjustments and local prices follow the international trend, and therefore prices are adjusted to reflect this. 

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President of Parliament Condemns Attacks on Democracy and Freedom of Expression. Offers Condolences on behalf of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG – President Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson on behalf of the people and the Members of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, expresses deepest sympathy to the Republic of France, its people and Government during these trying times.

“The event in the French Republic hits very close to our hearts as part of our island, the Northern half is part of France.  We express our sympathies to the President of the Collectivite, the Territorial and Executive Councils and to the people of St. Martin during this very difficult time.

“The fundamental right of the freedom of expression is at stake. This right is also protected in the Constitution of country Sint Maarten. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of a free society. 

“Our prayers go out to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones in these events.  May the Almighty give them strength during this difficult period.  I appeal to the nation to attend the National Day of Prayer on Sunday, January 11 where we can pray for those hurt by these events,” President of Parliament Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson said on Friday.

President Richardson who has been in Aruba attending the Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation in Oranjestad, since January 5, is scheduled to return to the country over the weekend along with members of the delegation.

President Richardson led a delegation of parliamentarians and advisors last weekend to the meeting which was hosted by Aruba.

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Minister Bourne-Gumbs Invites Public to National Day of Prayer on Sunday January 11

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs is inviting the general public to attend the National Day of Prayer Service on Sunday, January 11 under the theme, “We Look to You.”

The National Day of Prayer Service will take place in front of the Government Administration Building at the Clem Labega Square. The ecumenical service will begin at 5:30 pm.

The service is a collaboration between Government and the St. Maarten Christian Council, The St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

“We will pray for Sint Maarten and ask the Almighty to give us guidance and strength for 2015,” Minister Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs stated on Friday.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the second Sunday of January, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation.

It was decreed in 2005 by an Executive Council resolution of the then Island Territory of Sint Maarten, and became part and parcel of the annual cultural calendar of program and activities.

The National Day of Prayer Committee’s mission is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for St. Martin and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Law enforcement, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family.

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Lions Club Collects 1600 Eye Glasses for its Recycling Program

SUCKER GARDEN - During the months of May thru October 2014, the St. Maarten Lions Club was able to collect three (3) boxes of approximately 1600 used prescription eyeglasses and prescription and non-prescription sunglasses as part of the Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Program.

“Specially marked Lions Recycle For Sight collection boxes were placed at prominent business throughout the Dutch Side of the island and club members actively collected used glasses from persons in the community.  The response was a very positive one and we are so proud of the effort put forth by our club members and the community on a whole” said St. Maarten Lion Club President Lion Sunil( Sunny) Khatnani

The donated glasses will be shipped to a Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Centre where they will be cleaned, categorized by prescription and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups in developing countries where eye-care is often unaffordable and inaccessible.

The St. Maarten Lions Club has 53 members and meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Lion’s Den in Sucker Garden.  The Lions Club is a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfil those needs on a voluntary basis. For more information or to get involved with the St. Maarten Lions Club, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stmaartenlionsclub

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in 205 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the Web site at www.lionsclubs.org . (St. Maarten Lions Club)

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