SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM) wishes to inform the public that the following vehicles are currently being held at the Police Headquarters impound lot in Philipsburg.

The rightful owners are requested to come forward to claim their vehicles. Owners must present valid proof of ownership before a vehicle can be released.

For assistance, please visit the Police Headquarters in Philipsburg and ask for Ms. Rijna.

Contact Information: Tel: +1 (721) 54-22222, Ext. 114

KPSM appreciates your cooperation and encourages owners to claim their vehicles as soon as possible.

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - The Notice of Race for the 47th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is now live on Yacht Scoring, and registration is officially open for sailors eager to secure their place in the Caribbean’s biggest and most exciting sailing event: March 4-7, 2027.

Leading the charge are the defending 2026 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta champions, More Zessin’, the first team to register for the 2027 edition. Their early commitment sets the tone for a regatta that celebrates not only world-class competition, but also the family legacies and generations of sailors that continue to shape St. Maarten’s rich maritime heritage.

Representing St. Maarten, the J/105 More Zessin’ captured the Overall Winner title in 2026, a remarkable achievement in a fleet of more than 100 boats and sailors representing over 35 nations. The victory was a source of immense local pride, demonstrating that a dedicated local keelboat team could rise to the top against an international field of seasoned competitors.

The win also marked a passing of the torch. Owner/tactician Ryan Hope Ross led the team to victory while continuing a family sailing legacy established by his father and helmsman, Ian Hope Ross. As Ryan takes the helm for the next generation, More Zessin’ returns to defend its title and inspire a new wave of local competitors.

“Having a local team win the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is always special,” said Cary Byerley, Regatta Chair. “Our island has a deep sailing heritage, and seeing that legacy continue through the next generation of sailors is exactly what makes this event so meaningful.”

The second registration tells another story of generations on the water.

Returning for 2027 is Anomaly, one of the high-performance Diam 24 trimarans that helped create one of the most exciting one-design classes at the 2026 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Regatta. Eleven Diam 24s lined up on the start line last year, delivering close racing and spectacular action throughout the event.

Among the standout storylines was a friendly family rivalry. Aboard Anomaly, crew member Joris Vanden Eynde found himself racing not only against fellow competitors, but also against his 11-year-old son, Axel, who was competing on the Buzz Race Team.

The father-son battle intensified during Saturday’s Grand Case Beach Stadium Race Day. In the penultimate race, Axel and the Buzz Race Team finished just behind Anomaly, securing third place while Joris' team Anomaly took second. On the final race of the regatta, however, Buzz Race Team nailed a podium position for that race, while Anomaly slipped back through the fleet.

Don't call it an anomaly – Axel and the Buzz Race Team proved they were serious contenders. With both teams expected to return, the stage may be set for an exciting father-son rematch in 2027.

Helming for team Anomaly was Jolyon Ferron, son of one of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta founders, Robbie Ferron, and current Regatta Chair, Cary Byerley. Coming from a family legacy of Caribbean sailors, Jolyon has set a high bar for the next generation of racers, after managing his own successful Melges 24 campaign and now breaking into the Diam 24 class.

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has long been known as a place where generations come together both on and off the water. From junior sailors competing alongside seasoned veterans to families traveling together to race and celebrate, the event continues to embody its famous slogan: “Serious Fun!”

Off the water, the Regatta Village at Princess Port de Plaisance welcomes competitors, visitors, and the local community each evening. Open to the public with free entry, the village features family-friendly programming from 4:00 PM onwards, live entertainment, and a vibrant food court showcasing the diverse flavors of St. Maarten and St. Martin before the evening concerts begin.

As registration opens for the 47th edition, sailors from around the world are invited to join the next chapter of Caribbean sailing history. The 47th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta will take place March 4-7, 2027.

More Zessin' kept a great pace amongst a competitive fleet at the 2026 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta © Laurens Morel

The Saturday Grand Case Beach Stadium race event presented by Saint Martin Tourism celebrated another successful year of high-performance racing right along one of the island's most beautiful beaches. © Volano Media

From face painting to an international food court, there's plenty of family-friendly activities happening every evening at the Princess Port de Plaisance Regatta Village © Digital Island

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - As public discussion about the National Budget continues, the Minister of Finance believes it is important to clearly explain how the Government’s budget is prepared and what role each part of Government plays in that process.

Preparing the National Budget is a shared responsibility. The Ministry of Finance coordinates the process, but it does not prepare budgets for other Ministries or decide how much money each Ministry gets. Those decisions are made together by the Council of Ministers, in line with the Comptabiliteitslandsverordening.

To support a better understanding of the process, the Minister of Finance provides the following step-by-step overview.

Step 1: Strategic Budget Session

The budget process begins with a strategic session involving Ministers, Secretaries General, Financial Controllers, Cabinet staff, the Financial Policy Department (FBBB), and the Policy-Based Budgeting (PBB) Project Team. During this session, Government's priorities, national needs, and available financial resources are discussed. Ministers present the priorities of their respective Ministries and identify the resources required to achieve their policy objectives.

Step 2: Council of Ministers Establishes the Budget Framework

Based on these discussions, the Council of Ministers collectively determines the Government's policy priorities, strategic objectives, budget parameters, and financial allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.

This is a collective decision-making process in which Ministers advocate for their Ministries while balancing the needs of Government as a whole, within the available fiscal space. For example, during one budget cycle, the Ministries of VSA and TEATT agreed to reduce portions of their own budget requests so that funding could be made available for a priority within the Ministry of Justice.Once approved, these allocations become the official budget parameters within which each Ministry must prepare its budget. These are not recommendations. They form the financial framework for the National Budget.

Step 3: Ministries Prepare Their Budgets

Each Ministry prepares its own budget based on the priorities and financial allocations approved by the Council of Ministers. Every Minister remains responsible for determining how the approved resources will be utilized to achieve the Ministry's policy objectives. The Ministry of Finance does not prepare another Ministry's budget. Once completed, each Ministry submits its budget to the Ministry of Finance for consolidation.

Step 4: Ministry of Finance Coordinates and Consolidates the Budget

The Ministry of Finance reviews each Ministry's submission to ensure that it:

• complies with the financial parameters approved by the Council of Ministers;
• is complete and internally consistent;
• is fiscally sustainable; and
• can be incorporated into the National Budget.

This is a coordination function—not one of rewriting or reducing another Ministry's budget. If a Ministry submits a budget exceeding its approved allocation, it cannot simply be incorporated into the National Budget. Since the National Budget is one consolidated financial document, any increase by one Ministry affects Government's overall expenditure. Unless additional revenue is identified or expenditure is reduced elsewhere by a decision of the Council of Ministers, the budget would no longer be balanced.

The Ministry of Finance therefore works with Ministries to bring their submissions within the agreed framework. These adjustments implement decisions already made by the Council of Ministers; they are not unilateral budget cuts by the Minister of Finance.

Meeting submission deadlines is equally important. The National Budget cannot advance until every Ministry has submitted its budget. Delays by one Ministry delay the entire budget process.During the 2026 and 2027 budget cycles, the Ministry of Finance, together with the Financial Policy Department (FBB) and the Policy-Based Budgeting (PBB) Project Team, worked closely with all Ministries by providing technical guidance, improving planning, and strengthening budget submissions.

Step 5: Internal Legal Review

Once the draft National Budget has been consolidated, it is submitted to the Department of Legal Affairs for legal review. This review ensures that the draft budget complies with all applicable legal and procedural requirements before it is presented to the Council of Ministers for approval.

Step 6: Council of Ministers Approves the Draft National Budget

Following the legal review, the draft National Budget is submitted to the Council of Ministers. The Council reviews the complete budget package and, if satisfied, approves it as the Government's official draft National Budget. This approval is a collective decision of Government.

Step 7: External Review by the CFT and Council of Advice

After approval by the Council of Ministers, the draft National Budget is submitted for external review by:

• the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT); and
• the Council of Advice (RvA).

Each institution reviews the budget within its statutory mandate and may provide comments, advice, or recommendations.

Step 8: Processing of External Advice

The Ministry of Finance coordinates the incorporation of the recommendations received from the CFT and the Council of Advice.Where amendments are required, these are made to ensure that the draft budget remains legally compliant, fiscally responsible, and consistent with the recommendations received.

Step 9: Final Legal Review

Following the incorporation of the external advice, the revised draft National Budget is returned to the Department of Legal Affairs for a final legal review. Legal Affairs verifies that all required amendments have been correctly incorporated and confirms that the budget is legally and procedurally sound before proceeding to Parliament. This serves as an additional safeguard to ensure that the budget is complete, consistent, and compliant with all applicable legal requirements.

Step 10: Submission to Parliament

After completion of all required reviews and approvals, the draft National Budget is submitted to Parliament through the Governor. Parliament then debates, considers, and ultimately decides on the approval of the National Budget in accordance with its constitutional procedures.

Clarifying Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: The Minister of Finance has the authority to unilaterally determine another Ministry's budget.
• Fact: Financial allocations are determined collectively by the Council of Ministers. Each Ministry prepares and executes its own budget. The Ministry of Finance coordinates the budget process, ensures compliance with the framework approved by the Council of Ministers, and consolidates the National Budget in accordance with the Comptabiliteitslandsverordening. 

• Misconception: Any increase requested by a Ministry should automatically be reflected in the National Budget.
• Fact: Budget requests are assessed against the financial framework approved by the Council of Ministers, the country's available fiscal space, and the Ministry's demonstrated ability to effectively utilize additional resources. Not every request can or should be accommodated. 

• Misconception: If a Ministry requests additional funding, it is because its existing budget is insufficient.
• Fact: Budget requests are evaluated alongside historical expenditure patterns. In some cases, Ministries requesting additional funding have not fully utilized or absorbed the budgets already allocated to them in previous fiscal years. Strengthening budget execution remains an important consideration when assessing requests for additional resources. 

• Misconception: Every proposed initiative can be executed immediately if additional funds are made available.
• Fact: Successful implementation depends on more than funding alone. Some initiatives require enabling legislation, approved policies, organizational restructuring, procurement processes, or specialized personnel before they can be effectively executed. Where these prerequisites are not yet in place, additional funding alone will not result in successful implementation. 

• Misconception: The Ministry of Finance cut Ministry budgets during the 2026 and 2027 budget processes.
• Fact: No Ministry's budget was reduced. Every Ministry received an increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Discussions centered on ensuring that requested increases remained within the financial allocations and budget parameters collectively approved by the Council of Ministers.

The Minister of Finance emphasizes that the budget process depends on every Ministry fulfilling its responsibilities within the framework approved by the Council of Ministers. Each Ministry prepares and executes its own budget, while the Ministry of Finance coordinates the process.

Respecting the approved budget ceilings and timelines is essential to preserve the credibility of the National budget and prevent unnecessary delays. No individual Minister is above the collective decisions of the Council of Ministers. The Ministry of Finance remains committed to supporting Ministries in strengthening financial planning, improving budget quality, and ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with the law.

SINT MAARTEN (CUL DE SAC) - Tzu Chi Taiwan's support through the "Love From Taiwan" Rice Donation Program has enabled the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Sint Maarten to assist 178,414 individuals and 64,620 families over the past ten years.

The figures were highlighted during a visit by Ambassador Edward Ling Wen Tao, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, to the Tzu Chi Center on July 10.

The generosity of Taiwan has resulted in 29 containers of Love Rice being delivered to Sint Maarten since 2016, providing relief to families throughout Sint Maarten and neighboring Caribbean islands.

The foundation reported receiving 29 containers of Love Rice and distributing 57,258 bags of 10-kilogram rice.

The program has assisted 64,620 families and benefited 178,414 individuals. In addition, 539 schools, churches, senior homes, shelters, and community institutions have received support through the initiative.

Tzu Chi also reported 23,458 volunteer participations dedicated to serving communities through the program.

According to the foundation, the rice donations have supported home visits, monthly relief distributions, emergency assistance efforts, schools, and charitable organizations throughout the region.

Tzu Chi Foundation Sint Maarten, Commissioner Sandra Cheung said the donations represent more than food assistance. "Every bag of rice we distribute carries not only nourishment but also the compassion and friendship of Taiwan. On behalf of every family we have served and every volunteer who has dedicated their time, we offer our deepest gratitude to the Government and people of Taiwan for walking this humanitarian path with us over the past ten years."

Tzu Chi said it remains committed to continuing its humanitarian work and transforming Taiwan's support into assistance for families in need throughout the region.