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Frente Caribeño Successfully Concludes Pilot Workshop on "Cultura Dominicana"

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Frente Caribeño Foundation, led by Ms. Mayra Provence, is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of its inaugural workshop on "Cultura Dominicana." This pilot program was designed to deepen the understanding and appreciation of Dominican culture among third and fourth-generation descendants. The certification ceremony of the workshop, took place over the weekend, where the 7 participants (between the ages of 11 and 17) and 3 adults reflected on a strong community interest in reconnecting with their cultural roots. The workshop was designed to last 2 weeks, with 6 interactive sessions, that would culminate in a certification of participation for the participants.

The Vice President of Frente Caribeño, Mr. Cesar Gomez and the instructor of the workshop, Mr. Amauris Santos, expressed their satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm demonstrated by the participants. Through interactive sessions and engaging activities, attendees explored various aspects of Dominican culture, including history, music, dance, and culinary traditions. The positive feedback received from participants underscores the workshop's success in fostering a deeper connection to their heritage.

This workshop marks an important milestone for Frente Caribeño, which aims to create ongoing opportunities for cultural education and preservation. The success of this pilot program has encouraged the organizers to plan more such initiatives in the future. "We are delighted with the turnout and the interest shown by the community. This is just the beginning of many initiatives that will help maintain and celebrate our rich cultural heritage," said the program coordinator, Kenty Lichtenberg of Be Your Own Brand.

Frente Caribeño is committed to ensuring that the rich traditions of the Dominican Republic continue to thrive within our community. By offering programs like "Cultura Dominicana," we aim to strengthen cultural ties and provide a platform for third and fourth-generation descendants to reconnect with their roots. We look forward to expanding our efforts and creating more opportunities for cultural education and connection in the coming months.

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Brison Proposes "Start Fresh Tax Cleanup” tax program

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Former Member of Parliament Rolando Brison has unveiled a new tax proposal designed to provide much-needed relief and incentives for both businesses and individuals in St. Maarten. Recognizing the immense challenges faced by our residents in the wake of Hurricane Irma and the COVID-19 pandemic, Brison's plan aims to foster resilience and sustainability within the community.

International research (OECD, 2019) demonstrates that the likelihood of recovering tax debts reduces over time. A similar investigation on our sister island Curacao came to the same conclusion: 50% of income is collected in 2 years after imposing an assessment and 90% of income is collected in 5 years. This shows that the income after 5 years is marginal. In addition; collection of assessments older than 5 years requires a greater capacity than collection of assessments younger than 5 years.

“In order to bring the collection files at the Receivers Office to a manageable level and to also provide the whole Tax Department with the opportunity to work in the present, an adjustment should be made to the collection policy of the Tax Receiver”, Brison said.

Brison proposes a "Start Fresh Tax Cleanup," which means that tax debts that are more than five years old will no longer be actively collected. Tax assessments older than five years will only still be collected in the following cases:

(i) if they have been imposed as a result of a criminal tax investigation;

(ii) if the tax debt amounts to NAf. 1 million or more and the Tax Department has information indicating that there are recovery possibilities; or

(iii) if the tax debt has already been paid into a third-party account (such as with a notary).

“This adjustment of the collection policy also contributes to the reduction of the large inventory of unhandled objection letters”.

“For the people within the community that will argue that this is just an empty promise to gather votes, I would like to point out that this change in policy of the Receiver can be easily made and was also done on our sister island Curacao”.

Brison furthermore explained that he would also like to extend the maximum period for tax payment plans from nine months to two years. “Nine months is not a realistic timeframe for small businesses and many residents to settle their tax debts, especially those still recovering from recent economic disruptions. Extending this period will allow businesses to manage their finances more effectively while ensuring the government still collects its due taxes,” Brison stated.

Brison also advocates for dedicating at least 2% of the national budget to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This allocation would provide grants for startups, as well as funding for training and professional services. “If we allocate 2% of the national budget, we could potentially channel between eight to twelve million guilders annually into the SME sector. This could, for instance, provide 100 new businesses with startup funds of 120,000 guilders each,” he highlighted.

Brison emphasized the importance of government support in ensuring the survival and growth of small businesses. “We are a resilient country and a resilient people, but the government needs to offer opportunities and relief to our citizens. By implementing these measures, we can ensure that our people not only survive but thrive, contributing to the overall economic health of St. Maarten.”

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Announcing Toastmaster Maria Eduardo as the New Area 40 Director for 2024-2025

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - We are thrilled to announce that Toastmaster Maria Eduardo has begun her term as the new Area 40 Director for 2024-2025. Maria will be responsible for overseeing the Caribbean Pearls Toastmasters Club, Elite Soualiga Toastmasters Club, and Saint Martin Evolution Toastmasters Club.

"I am excited about this new role, viewing it as both a challenge and an opportunity for personal and professional growth.  

Though excited she's mindful of the responsibility, but then she recalls the words of Ralph Smedley: ‘Leadership is the capacity to look ahead, think ahead, plan ahead, and then influence others to go ahead on the plan.’

As Area Director, Toastmaster Maria will support and guide these clubs to ensure they achieve their goals and uphold the high standards of Toastmasters International. Her team includes a mix of experienced Toastmasters and enthusiastic newcomers, all committed to making this year both fun and educational. They are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where members can thrive and develop their communication and leadership skills.

Join us in congratulating Maria Eduardo and wishing her and Area 40 a successful and exciting year ahead.

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Arrindell participates in Online Ministerial Conference OCTA-EU

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) - On behalf of the Prime Minister L.F.E. Marcelina, Honorable Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, participated in the online Ministerial Conference Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the European Union (OCTA-EU), on the 27th of June 2024. Minister Arrindell was mandated through a national decree, a decision within the COM and an authorization by the PM.

This meeting was chaired by Honorable Ms. Evelyn Wever- Croes, Prime Minister of Aruba, also the elected Chair of the OCTA-EU, and was attended by 11 of the 13 member countries, with in total 26 representatives.

Important matters on the agenda mainly focusing on the financial/administrative decisions for the OCTA-EU and specifical requests to the European Commission were discussed and decided on. Minister Arrindell abstained from voting on some matters after sharing Sint Maarten’s view in valuing accountability and transparency by preferring a written procedure, enabling her and the Sint Maarten technical experts’ team to spend more time in studying and commenting on the submitted documents.

The Minister was assisted by her staff from within the Cabinet of Minister Plenipotentiary Sint Maarten in the Hague and the team of the department of Interior and Kingdom relations, who are both specialized in the EU dossier.

Minister Arrindell emphasizes on the importance of Sint Maarten’s involvement within the EU agencies, mainly targeting accessing opportunities of collaboration in the area of trade, innovation, technology, green/blue economy, digitalization and especially access to funding.

The OCTA-EU platform also enables Sint Maarten to participate in political and economic discussions strengthening the strategic position of Sint Maarten. With a strong participation of Sint Maarten within these international agencies, implementation of a national development plan can be pursued without delays and gives Sint Maarten the chance to adjust it’s path to create better circumstances for prosperity for the people of Sint Maarten.

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Minister of Finance Gumbs Presents Factual Breakdown of ENNIA debacle

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - “All things ENNIA,” will be the sole topic Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs will be addressing when she goes to Parliament on Thursday, June 27.

The Parliament of St. Maarten has to decide on the current solution to save ENNIA, which the National Alliance (NA)-led coalition government had approved before leaving office. The Curacao Parliament has already given its green light to the arrangement, which includes the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten (CBCS).

“The decision now lies with the Parliament of St. Maarten,” Minister Gumbs said. “I will present the facts as they are and will include my observations. In the end, Parliament decides if they want St. Maarten to take on this significant financial obligation for the next 50 years.

The Minister said that the approach facing Parliament would involve addressing the consequences of more stringent refinancing terms for the COVID-19 (or so-called liquidity) loans. This would include dealing with higher interest rates and more frequent repayment obligations.

The Dutch kingdom government had tied the refinancing of the loans to a lasting solution for the ENNIA issue. Its offer of a 600 million Euro (US$ 636 million) loan to save the insurance company was rejected by Curacao, which claimed that this would mean a total of two big loans of about US$1.1 billion. According to Prime Minister Pisas of Curacao, this would limit that island’s loan capacity and have serious financial, economic, and social impact on the island.

Minister Gumbs said the choice before the Parliament of St. Maarten is not an easy one.

The Minister also expressed serious concern for the fate of the approximately 3,000 ENNIA policy holders in St. Maarten who could be affected by the lack of a solution for this issue. “I really sympathize with their plight,” Minister Gumbs said, while expressing the importance of a mutually beneficial solution for both the policy holders and St. Maarten.

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Patrice Gumbs to Become Minister of VROMI. Also Takes On Post of Deputy Prime Minister

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Minister Plenipotentiary Patrice Gumbs has been recalled from the Netherlands and will be appointed as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) tomorrow, Tuesday, 25 June 2024. The Party for Progress (PFP) has taken the decision to focus its resources on the Ministry of VROMI, and in particular, the GEBE crisis.  

“While Kingdom relations remain a critical part of our agenda, especially as it relates to our financial stability, the current energy needs of the people call for urgent attention to this problem. In the limited time in the Netherlands, Minister Gumbs has hit the ground running using his knowledge and experience of government as well as his excellent diplomatic skills to work in the interest of Sint Maarten; we as a party believe his skills can play a critical role in addressing not only the current crisis but institute the necessary changes to strengthen VROMI,” stated PFP party leader and member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs. 

Following Governor Baly’s refusal to sign the National Decree to appoint PFP candidate Raeyhon Peterson as Minister of VROMI, the Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, and Labour Mrs. Veronica Jansen-Webster has been acting as deputy in this position since the cabinet took office on May 3rd. In the coalition agreement, PFP also receives the role of Deputy Prime Minister, which will form part of Minister Patrice Gumbs’ new portfolio. 

In his time as Minister Plenipotentiary, Gumbs secured scholarships from the Indian Government, announced the creation of the diaspora database, and worked on realizing housing for students. This week a meeting with DUWO, one of the largest housing organizations in the Netherlands has been arranged with the Cabinet to discuss the expected needs for Sint Maarten students in the Netherlands. Gumbs also held discussions with representatives from the Dutch Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate on funding for energy transformation on Sint Maarten and the recently concluded TNO report that has gone to the Second Chamber, this following up from his leading the Sint Maarten part of the Kingdom delegation at the United Nations 4th Small Island Developing States Conference in Antigua in May.

Following on from the World Bank Trust Fund Steering Committee meetings held in Washington D.C. at the end of last month, Gumbs met with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations on financial matters and to devise a capacity plan for the Government. Drawing on his experience in Foreign Affairs, Gumbs also held discussions with representatives of the French Embassy on matters related to the border between both sides of the island.

As part of his final duties, last Friday, Gumbs attended the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting (RMR), for both his first and his last time, as well as the last of the current Dutch Government. In his address Gumbs stressed the importance of continued cooperation within the Kingdom based on mutual respect, accountability, and trust.

“Consideration has to be given by the Dutch to the small island realities of a developing country like Sint Maarten and what the Kingdom says abroad must also be reflected in its dealings internally; but, like in every relationship, we as Sint Maarteners have to do our part as well; and I and my Government look forward to the opportunities to bridge this gap with the incoming Dutch Government.”

Party for Progress thanked URSM and Minister Jansen-Webster, for their support during the past month. Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell will fill in the function upon Gumbs’ departure from the Netherlands.

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NOW warns public to beware of instigators, focus on progress

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Board of the Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Party on Thursday issued a strong warning to the people of St. Maarten to remain vigilant against the instigators within the opposition parties.

These parties, having spent four years in government without making any significant progress, are now attempting to mislead the public by trying to cover the fact that their fingerprints are all over the country's shortcomings.

"Remember why you voted them out in January. You recognized that you deserve better. Thus far they have reminded you why they didn't deserve your vote," the NOW said.

The opposition parties, after manipulating the fall of the government, are now struggling to find issues to campaign on. They are trying to deceive the public into believing that the current government, which has been in office for a mere seven weeks, should have already resolved the numerous problems left behind by the former administration. This tactic is not only disingenuous but also a blatant attempt to deflect from their own shortcomings and failures.

"During their tenure, these opposition parties had ample opportunity to address the pressing issues facing our nation. Instead, they squandered four years without delivering any meaningful results. Now, in a desperate bid to regain power, they are resorting to fear-mongering and misinformation," the board of the NOW said.

The NOW Party remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and truth. From the grassroots level up to the highest echelons of our organization, we pledge to continue serving the people of St. Maarten with honesty and integrity. We are dedicated to tackling the challenges facing our nation head-on and implementing sustainable solutions that will benefit all citizens.

"We urge the public to see through the manipulative tactics of the opposition and to trust in the NOW Party's vision for a prosperous and united St. Maarten. Our focus is on real progress and genuine improvement, not on empty promises and baseless accusations. As we move forward, the NOW Party will remain committed to keeping the people informed and engaged. We believe in the power of unity and the strength of our community," the party concluded.

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URSM Stands Firm Amidst Political Revelations

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) board acknowledges the recent surge of media releases from various political parties, filled with myriad revelations. As the election season progresses, it is vital for the citizens of St. Maarten to remain vigilant and discerning of these tactics. URSM firmly believes that addressing the country's myriad issues requires a continued hands-on, practical, and realistic approach.

Over the past four years, the people of St. Maarten have been vocal in their demand for genuine leadership and a passionate commitment to their welfare. It is perplexing to witness current Members of Parliament suddenly proposing ideas and initiatives that could have been implemented during their tenure. This prompts the question: what were they doing over the past four years? Are these sudden bursts of activity merely election tactics aimed at deceiving the electorate?

The URSM urges everyone to stay aware of the political maneuvering taking place, particularly by former candidates. The motivations behind one's candidacy—whether self-interest or national interest—must be critically examined. The phenomenon of candidates switching parties is not new, but it underscores the need for consistent and principled leadership. URSM remains steadfast and stronger than ever.

In a move that highlights our growing strength, URSM proudly announces the addition of three new board members: Luisandro Cicilia, Romeo Fleming, and Jacques Heemskerk. Their inclusion is a testament to the robustness and appeal of our movement.

Furthermore, the URSM board and leadership are eager to unveil our candidate list, showcasing a diverse and representative cross-section of our country. URSM is committed to inclusivity and will persist as a leading force in St. Maarten’s political landscape, buoyed by the unwavering confidence of the people.

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Volunteers Remove over 700 Pounds of Trash on World Oceans Day Clean-Up

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On World Oceans Day, early in the morning of June 8, approximately 50 volunteers led by PlasticFreeSXM, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), and the Nature Foundation successfully cleared plastic litter from Great Bay Beach, Little Bay Beach, and Simpson Bay Lagoon. The initiative successfully gathered a staggering 769 pounds of trash, highlighting the critical need to confront the escalating threats of plastic pollution and other debris in our marine environments.

The diverse range of collected waste included items such as plastic bottles, fishing lines, fast food styrofoam cartons, soda cans, bottle caps, and plastic straws. Volunteers also encountered unusual debris like an abandoned baby stroller and broken beach chairs. At Little Bay Beach, clear signs of illegal dumping were evident, with scattered construction materials and car parts.

Leslie Hickerson, Nature Foundation Manager, who led the clean-up at Simpson Bay Lagoon, commented, "In the challenging mangrove areas of Simpson Bay Lagoon, Tri-Sport's support was crucial. They generously donated kayaks free of charge and provided their guide, Pablo, who conducted safety briefings and guided volunteers to hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, IGY Marina's tenders, led by Captains Etienne Lake, Dave Sorrel, and Delroy Givans, played a key role in assisting our volunteers, enabling efficient debris collection across the lagoon. We managed to remove 25 bags of trash and debris from the mangroves."

Fleur Hermanides, EPIC Board President, praised the volunteers' commitment, stating, "Our volunteers showed remarkable dedication to environmental conservation, investing their time and efforts to clean our coastline and protect our natural resources."

Special acknowledgment was given to Caribbean General Contractors (CGC) for their generous donation of bins at the Simpson Bay and Belair locations, which played a crucial role in managing and properly disposing of the collected waste.

This year's World Oceans Day clean-up demonstrated the profound impact of collective action on combating plastic pollution and litter. PlasticFreeSXM is grateful to each volunteer, community member, and partner organization for their dedication and hard work. The team is excited about future clean-ups and looks forward to collaborating with additional sponsors interested in supporting environmental initiatives.

The event was a collaborative effort involving Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), the Nature Foundation St. Maarten, and Plastic Free SXM, a project executed by the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. PlasticFreeSXM is supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme, a 47-project initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France - the development cooperation agency of the Government of France and supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) - Aruba, Anguilla, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos. 

Volunteers are loading trash from the kayaks donated by TriSport onto IGY Marinas tenders

Volunteers are loading trash from the kayaks donated by Tri Sport onto IGY Marinas tenders.

 

 

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WINAIR Acquires Twin Otter Aircraft to Enhance Operations

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Winair announces a significant milestone in its history, transitioning from a fully leased fleet to ownership with the acquisition of a Twin Otter DHC6 aircraft. This investment marks a strategic move towards greater operational control and efficiency, solidifying the company's commitment to providing exceptional service in the Caribbean.

Demonstrating the aircraft's importance to our operations and the current economic climate, a strong business case was presented to our shareholders. Recognizing the long-standing success with Twin Otters, the improved efficiency, and the potential for a more competitive future, our shareholders responded positively and overwhelmingly approved the acquisition of this DHC-300.

The Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Luc Mercelina on behalf of the shareholder representative, commented on the acquisition, stating, "This is a significant development for Winair and for St. Maarten as a whole. The acquisition of the Twin Otter DHC6 represents a commitment to enhancing our aviation infrastructure and supporting economic growth in our region. We are proud to see Winair taking such strategic steps to strengthen its operations and continue its legacy of reliable service."

“For nearly five decades, Twin Otter aircraft have been the backbone of our operations, particularly for essential routes Saba and St. Barth,” said Hans van de Velde, CEO at Winair. “The decision to acquire this aircraft reflects our long-standing experience with the Twin Otter’s reliability, coupled with the current economic climate and the health of our company. This strategic purchase allows us to reduce our reliance on leasing and paves the way for future growth.”

The Latest in Regional Aviation

The Twin Otter DHC6 which Winair will acquire, is the latest addition to our fleet, PJ-WIX. And it represents the latest evolution in the Twin Otter series. Equipped with a state-of-the-art Garmin 950 glass cockpit, this aircraft offers enhanced navigational capabilities, improved pilot situational awareness, and a smoother flying experience for passengers. This advanced technology positions Winair at the forefront of regional aviation, setting a new standard for efficiency.

Building a Stronger Future

Winair is confident that this acquisition will not only enhance operations but also contribute to the company’s long-term financial stability. Winair hopes and expects this a first step, to be followed by the acquisition of other twin otters in the upcoming years. Owning aircraft allows for greater control over maintenance schedules and operational costs, ultimately allowing us to continue delivering exceptional service and value to its customers.

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