SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Foster Care Awareness Month kicked off in an inspiring ceremony organized by the Foundation Judicial Institutes Sint Maarten (SJIS). The event was gracefully opened by Project Coordinator Meredith Concincion, who emphasized the community's collective responsibility, reminding us that "we all can play a vital part in enhancing equity in foster care, which is the theme for Foster Care Month 2024."

The opening ceremony continued with a prayer, followed by a heartfelt rendition of the Sint Maarten song by Ms. Marlene Paul. The Honorable Minister of Justice, Lyndon Lewis, provided opening remarks that further solidified the significance of foster parents. The program proceeded with a variety of speeches, performances including singing, dancing, theater and poetry, all highlighting the importance of foster care and creating equity.

The former Minister of Justice also addressed the audience, offering words of encouragement and gratitude. The event concluded with the pinning and presentation of certificates to the villagers, symbolizing their commitment to foster care.

With this launch, the Foster are Awareness Month has officially begun. As the theme "Be the village, foster a child" resonates throughout the month, it serves as a call to action for the community to engage and contribute to fostering, providing a supportive environment for every child.

The atmosphere at the ceremony was filled with enthusiasm and a sense of unity as members of the community came together to support and celebrate foster care awareness. Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges faced by foster children and the ways in which everyone can make a positive impact in their lives.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was a speech from the Foster Parent of the Year, Mrs. Damili Bryson, who shared their personal experiences with fostering 2 children and insights into the impact of foster. Her stories served as a powerful reminder of the importance of providing love, stability, and support to children in need.

In addition to the speeches and performances, the ceremony also included interactive workshops and information booths where attendees could learn more about the foster care process and how to get involved. Representatives from SJIS were on hand to answer questions and provide resources to those interested in becoming foster parents or supporting foster children in other ways.

As the Foster Care Awareness Month unfolds, there will be a variety of events and activities planned to continue raising awareness and promoting positive change in the foster care system. From community fundraisers to recruitment drives and a family fun day, there will be ample opportunities for individuals and groups to contribute to the well-being of foster children and their families.

Ultimately, the success of Foster Care Awareness Month relies on the collective efforts of the entire community. By coming together and embracing the theme of "Be the village, foster a child," we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Please follow them via Facebook and Instagram @foundationjisxm or contact the foster care coordinator Ms. Meredith Concincion at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 5264310 to learn how you can contribute. Together, let's make a difference in the lives of foster children!

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Attorney Karyl Bertrand first participated in a conference of the International Trademark Association (INTA) in 2001, an organization with over 35 thousand members from more than 180 countries.

INTA is the largest association in the world dedicated to trademarks and other intellectual property rights. The INTA conference hosts more than 10 thousand participants, mainly consisting of lawyers from various countries around the world specializing in trademark law.

Bertrand, who specializes in trademark law and intellectual property law, was approached to join the Global Advisory Council, which advises the president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the rest of the board of INTA on global issues affecting intellectual property rights, especially in Latin American and the Caribbean.

The next INTA conference will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., May 18 – 22, 2024. By having accepted to join the executive leadership advisory team of the organization for the period 2024-2026, Bertrand became the first lawyer from the Dutch Caribbean to hold such an important position within INTA.

Bertrand was previously a member of the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee for four years, during which she organized policy dialogues on behalf of INTA in Jamaica and Curaçao, she also spoke in New York, U.S.A., and was a speaker in Sint Maarten, upon invitation of the Bureau of Intellectual Property of Sint Maarten and the Ministry of Justice of Sint Maarten for the Anti-Counterfeit & Intellectual Property Conference.

Additionally, Bertrand was a member of the Commercialization of Brands Committee for two years, which deals with the marketing and promotion of brands, franchising, and financial valuation of brands, among other things.

Given her expertise, Bertrand was appointed chair of the INTA subcommittee on Sustainability and Ethical Standards Associations in early January 2024. This appointment is already in itself a significant achievement for the Dutch Caribbean.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Inspectorate of Taxes would like to remind the general public that the deadline for submitting your 2023 Income Tax Return Form is Friday, May 31, 2024. Submissions must be made at the Tax Administration Office, located in the Vineyard Building, during office hours from Monday to Friday, between 8AM and 2PM. To avoid long wait times, it is advisable to submit your Income Tax Return Form well before the deadline.

To access the 2023 Income Tax Return Forms A & B and view the list of required documents, please visit www.tax.sx, under the Documents tab. The forms are also available on the Government of Sint Maarten website and via the online services of the Government at onlineservices.sintmaartengov.org.

Throughout May, seniors/pensioners can receive assistance exclusively at the Tax Administration Office by appointment only. To qualify for assistance, seniors/pensioners must earn a maximum of Naf 15,000.00 per year and should bring all required documents, such as a wage tax card, interest letter, etc., to their appointment. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Tax Administration via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 542-2143 / 542-5301 / 542-5304 / 542-3839.

Please note that the 2023 Income Tax Return cannot be submitted online or via email. Tax Return Forms must be submitted in person at the front office of the Tax Administration Office. Upon submission, please remember to bring a copy of the form for stamping as a receipt. Requests for extensions must be submitted before the deadline of Friday, May 31, 2024, along with a valid reason. Additionally, spouses are reminded to jointly submit one tax form.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please email the Sint Maarten Tax Administration at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PORT ST. MAARTEN – The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority (SLAC) would like to inform maritime operators, owners, motorists, and the community that the Causeway Bridge will be partly closed to motorized traffic for maintenance works.

On Monday, May 13 through Wednesday, May 15, 2024, one lane at a time of the two-lane Causeway Bridge will be closed to motorized traffic from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM in order to carry out a thorough cleaning.

Traffic control measures will be taken promoting motorized traffic and worker safety. Motorists are therefore advised to pay attention to re-directional and road closure signs.

SLAC apologizes for any inconvenience caused.