SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Three suspects stood trial today (Ed. Wednesday, December 18, 2024) one of them a former parliamentarian, the Prosecution Service said in a press release on Wednesday.

They are accused of vote buying and thereby undermining Sint Maarten's democratic rule of law. The Public Prosecutor’s Office in its argumentation emphasized that the buying and selling of votes shows not only a lack of integrity, but also a deep contempt for the democratic values that we as a community must protect.

Vulnerable democracy

Sint Maarten has a vulnerable democratic system. With only 15 seats in parliament and an electoral system in which a limited number of votes is sufficient to obtain a parliamentary position, the impact of voter fraud is high.

The Public Prosecutor's Office underscored that such acts damage citizens' confidence in the fairness of elections, and seriously harm the country.

Demands

The Public Prosecutor's Office has demanded stiff sentences against the defendants, including an 18-month unconditional prison sentence for the former parliamentarian. In addition, the Public Prosecutor's Office demanded that this person should be banned from holding any civil servant offices, and from the right to be elected for the maximum permitted period of 6.5 years.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has also announced an asset forfeiture order for the former parliamentarian. The Public Prosecutor's Office emphasizes the crucial importance of honest and committed parliamentarians, especially on a small island like Sint Maarten.

With these severe sentencing demands, the Public Prosecutor's Office aims to deter the defendants, as well as others. In doing so, the Public Prosecutor's Office seeks to reinforce the norm that buying and selling votes is not permissible.

The Court in First Instance will rule on the case on January 8, 2025.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – Last week, representatives from the unions of Sint Maarten met with the Council of Ministers in an introductory session. The meeting served as a platform for open dialogue between union leaders and the recently sworn-in ministers, including Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor Richenel S.J. Brug, and Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs.

The session underscored the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration with unions to address the needs of workers and the community.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of unity and constructive dialogue, "Our unions represent the strength and resilience of Sint Maarten’s workforce, and their voices are essential in shaping the policies that will guide our nation forward.

“This government is here to listen, to engage, and most importantly, to act in the best interest of the people. Together, we will address challenges head-on and build a future that prioritizes equity and opportunity for all."

PM Dr. Mercelina also highlighted the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity, stating:

"This meeting is not a one-time event—it is the start of a consistent, open dialogue. Our administration is dedicated to ensuring that the concerns of workers are not only heard but reflected in our actions. The success of Sint Maarten lies in its people, and we are ready to work hand in hand with our unions to secure a brighter tomorrow."

Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs echoed, "Our workforce drives the success of our economy, and their well-being is non-negotiable. As Minister of Finance, I am committed to implementing policies that ensure wage equity, access to opportunities, and financial stability for all. We must create an economic environment where workers feel valued and secure in their futures," Minister Gumbs stated.

Minister Gumbs further stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility in achieving these goals, "While we navigate our financial challenges, we remain steadfast in our mission to balance economic stability with the needs of our people. Together, with the input of unions, we can shape policies that deliver sustainable progress and uplift our workforce."

Union leaders raised key issues which the Council of Ministers pledged to address through collaborative efforts.

The session concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining open communication and scheduling regular follow-up meetings to translate discussions into actionable outcomes.

This meeting signifies a renewed partnership between the government and unions, reflecting the Council of Ministers’ dedication to inclusivity and progress for the benefit of all Sint Maarteners.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs is encouraging everyone, particularly the youth, to take advantage of the ongoing free workshops which are part of the activities organized to mark Financial Literacy Month.

Two of the workshops will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The first workshop, “Corporate Governance,” will take place from 9 am to 12 pm, at the University of St. Martin. The second workshop, “Mastering Your Income Tax Form,” will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Government Administration Building.

The third workshop for this week, “How to Declare Your Business Taxes,” is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 6 pm to 8 pm. It will also take place at the Government Administration Building. Interested persons can register for the workshops at www.finlit.sx 

The Financial Literacy Month started last week with two free workshops, one exclusively for civil servants, titled “Understanding Your Pay slip,” and the other which was open to the public, and hosted by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, introduced the upcoming Caribbean guilder. Both workshops were well attended and offered valuable insights into key financial topics.

Minister Gumbs further encourages young entrepreneurs ages 12-18 to register for the upcoming “Youth Biz Expo” on November 24, 2023, at the Princess Juliana International Airport.

“This event offers a fantastic opportunity for young business minds to showcase their ideas and compete for great prizes,” said the Minister of Finance. For more information and to register, please visit: www.nyp.sx

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The coordinators of SXM DOET, St. Maarten’s largest volunteer initiative, have officially kicked off preparations for the 2025 edition, marking the event’s 11th consecutive year.

Project Coordinators Breanna Barrie, Caroline Van Oost, Roylyka Roache, and Shanica Romney, in partnership with the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean islands—including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, and St. Eustatius, are excited to announce a significant shift in 2025 as SXM DOET moves its dates from March to May.

The new dates for SXM DOET 2025 will be Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, 2025. “This change comes after careful discussions with our DOET partners within the Kingdom.

While each month has pros and cons, we’re excited to have SXM DOET take place after the St. Maarten carnival this year and hopefully engage even more volunteers and organizations in a refreshed way,” said the Project Coordinators. “We encourage all organizations to submit their project ideas as early as possible via www.sxmdoet.com.”

A New Era: From Carnival to Community Progress

This year’s slogan, “From Parading to Progress for a Brighter St. Maarten,” aims to harness the energy and spirit of the post-Carnival season to fuel community-driven projects. “We want to keep the momentum going after Carnival, bringing the community together to lend a helping hand and make a tangible difference,” Caroline van Oost added. Roylyka Roache emphasized, "SXM DOET is a platform where everyone’s contributions count, and we look forward to seeing how these projects will bring lasting benefits to the NGO’s of St. Maarten."

Call for Projects: Your Ideas Can Make a Difference

Community organizations - from non-profits to schools, sports clubs, and churches - are invited to register their projects on the official SXM DOET website at www.sxmdoet.com, starting next week. Registration will remain open until February 7, 2025. “We’re looking for a variety of projects that will have a lasting impact on our community. SXM DOET helps transform ideas into action—whether that’s restoring a park, painting a school, beautifying public spaces, or catering to a vulnerable group,” Breanna Barrie mentioned. 

New Opportunity: Youth Interns Wanted

This year, SXM DOET is adding new activities to invest in engaging younger participants in the power of volunteerism. A vacancy will be published soon and two youth interns will be selected to help drive youth involvement in SXM DOET 2025 and future editions. These interns will bring fresh ideas, support peer engagement, and amplify the importance of volunteering. "We want to empower young people to take an active role in shaping their communities, so we're excited to bring youth-driven ideas to the table," Shanica Romney explained. "It’s a chance for young leaders to make an impact, and we look forward to learning from them."

Financial Support Available for Community Projects

Organizations looking for financial assistance to execute their projects can apply for up to $650 in funding, which can be used for some materials, transportation, and food, to name a few. Financial assistance applications will be available on the website once project registration opens.

How You Can Get Involved

Organizations:

• Submit your project ideas: Visit sxmdoet.com to register your community projects beginning next week.
• Apply for financial support: Up to $650 available to assist in executing your projects.
• Deadline for registration of projects: February 7, 2025.

Volunteers:

• Sign up: After project registration, volunteers can sign up for their preferred projects in mid-February 2025.
• Get ready to give back: Join hundreds of volunteers in making St. Maarten a better place to live!

Businesses

• SXM DOET is excited to Partner with Businesses again this year! Show your commitment to social responsibility by offering discounts, gift certificates, or products for our volunteers or participating NGO organizations.
• Adopt, Donate, and Volunteer: You can also adopt a project: from mid-February, choose one on sxmdoet.com or let us match you. Provide funding and materials, then join the project for a meaningful team-building experience! 

About SXM DOET

SXM DOET is the largest volunteer initiative organized by the project coordination team in collaboration with the Be the Change Foundation and the Oranje Fonds. It aims to unite the community by engaging volunteers to support local organizations and make a lasting impact on the island. For more information and to get involved, visit www.sxmdoet.com, SXM DOET on Facebook and @sxm.doet on Instagram or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.