SINT MAARTEN (CAY BAY) - The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) wishes to remind members of the community of the initiative aimed at restoring order and dignity to local cemeteries, beginning with the Cay Bay Cemetery.

In collaboration with the Cay Bay community, this project will identify and map burial plots, assigning a unique registration number to each plot and beautifying the cemetery grounds. Currently, there is limited information on the identities and locations of individuals buried in the Cay Bay Cemetery.

This project seeks to rectify this by establishing a comprehensive registry to ensure every burial site is accounted for and maintained. The initial phase of the initiative will focus on Cay Bay, with plans to expand to cemeteries across the island in the near future.

To support this effort, members of the public are reminded to assist in identifying and claiming the graves of their loved ones. Claims must be submitted no later than December 31st, 2024.

Families and individuals are encouraged to contact Sharon Cangieter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her at +1-721-553-1273 to provide information or inquire further.

“Our cemeteries are an essential part of our cultural heritage and serve as places of remembrance and respect,” said Minister Gumbs.

“By implementing this registry and beautification program, we aim to honor those who have passed while providing clarity and order for future generations.”

The beautification efforts will include landscaping, and improved pathways, to ensure the grounds are both visually appealing and accessible. These enhancements underscore VROMI's commitment to preserving and enhancing community spaces throughout Sint Maarten.

The Minister of VROMI thanked the Cay Bay community for approaching him with this initiative and for being so instrumental in the process. He hopes to work with other communities soon as the pilot is expanded.

SINT MAARTEN/CANADA (TORONTO) - Vie L’Ven Resort & Residences—a luxurious 280-room resort and residences that promises to redefine island living on the shores of Indigo Bay, St. Maarten, was the sponsor of a Dutch team at the 15th edition of the St. Barth Cata-Cup Regatta, that took place from November 20th to 24th, 2024. Set against the idyllic backdrop of Saint Barthélemy from November 20th to 24th, 2024, the high-profile catamaran regatta drew 55 elite teams from around the globe and stands as a testament to the Caribbean’s vibrant sailing culture.

The St. Barth Cata-Cup has grown into one of the region’s most iconic regattas, attracting sailors and enthusiasts alike for its blend of world-class competition and island camaraderie. Vie L’Ven is proud to sponsor a team that embodies these same values, underscoring the resort’s commitment to preserving and celebrating St. Maarten’s maritime heritage. Celebrating the island's rich Dutch and French heritage, the vibrant resort and residence name is rooted in the essence of ‘life’ and ‘living’ through this unique fusion. As a property situated on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Vie L’Ven draws upon this deep cultural connection by supporting a Dutch team that resonates with both island tradition and the international sailing community.

Through this sponsorship, Vie L'Ven aims to create an authentic experience for Cata-Cup attendees and prospective residents alike, highlighting the resort as a gateway to the island’s natural beauty and sailing spirit. Vie L'Ven’s upcoming on-property yacht dock, will make it easier than ever for residents and guests to explore the surrounding waters and islands, like St. Barthélemy and Anguilla—ideal for those drawn to the lifestyle of the sea.

The resort and residences are honored to support Team HorseRiding, composed of the father & son duo and Dutch natives, Ad Noordzij and Maarten Noordzij, who have been sailing together in the F18 class for over a decade. Their passion for sailing and dedication to the sport embody the spirit of community and excellence that Vie L’Ven champions as a proud member of Sint Maarten's Dutch heritage. Their partnership was born out of a shared love for catamaran sailing that began with family adventures and grew into a serious pursuit. Ad, who rekindled his passion for catamaran sailing after years in South America, introduced Maarten to competitive sailing at age 15. Since then, their bond has deepened, evolving from father-son dynamics to a true team connection on the water.

Known within the F18 class for their hands-on approach, Ad and Maarten’s catamaran has been modified with custom innovations that improve their performance. From a Bluetooth-enabled communication system to lightweight line setups, their boat has become a reflection of their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to their craft. This spirit of ingenuity and resilience, paired with Maarten’s emerging tactical skills and Ad’s wealth of experience, embodies the essence of Vie L'Ven's approach to luxury and personalized design.

“Vie L’Ven is proud to champion the Dutch Team HorseRiding at the St. Barth Cata-Cup, embracing the spirit of Caribbean maritime heritage alongside our Dutch roots,” shared Zev Mandelbaumm, CEO of Vie L’Ven Resort & Residences. “This partnership reflects our dedication to excellence, creativity, and community as we look forward to our grand opening in the high season of 2027/2028.”

With the completion of the project on track for High-Season 2027/2028, Vie L’Ven is the vision of Altree Developments, a leader in the international real estate landscape, rooted in a 70-year multi-generational family legacy in the development industry. Committed to redefining Caribbean luxury, the concept for Vie L’Ven has been brought to life by renowned partners Studio Munge, HKS Architects and Leading Hotels of The World, all of whom have been recognized globally for their dedication to creating world-class properties.

With luxurious amenities, including a dedicated Les Clefs d'Or concierge team, three distinct pools, the largest destination spa in the Caribbean, pickleball and tennis courts, on-beach water sports, children’s playroom and childcare services, a nature reserve and dining concepts led by Michelin-starred Chef Alain Ducasse, the resort is poised to become the Caribbean's premier address.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - “The Road network of St. Maarten was subject of much debate during the handling of the amended budget 2024 in the Parliament”, Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot Williams stated in a recent letter to Minister of VROMI, Patrice Gumbs.

Before minister Gumbs’ tenure, information was provided by the ministry regarding dirt roads to be paved etc. as it related to the capital budget 2024. However, a detailed calendar of works with respect to the paving of side roads, the so-called Side Road Pavement project which was promised to parliament, has not been received, MP Wescot explained.

“I have reminded the minister to share this program with parliament, especially after the recent heavy rains that have laid bare a lot of deficiencies in our road system. Every road appears to be a priority and with a limited budget available, there must be a contingency plan put in place.”

Given the announced plan of the current minister to carefully analyze big development projects and their impact on the road network and drainage, it is concerning to see road work ongoing without taking these matters into consideration.

Of the Well Road, a highly traversed road, it was mentioned that this is a “secondary” road and scheduled for repairs in 2025. However, a caveat in all of the road repair projects seems to be the drainage or rather the lack of adequate drainage.

The Union Road was also frequently mentioned and questioned by members of parliament. As was e.g. Arch Road (Madame Estate). Of this latter road it was stated that it is a priority, but due to water issues, repairs could not start just yet.

Of the road to Point Blanche, it was stated that several meters of roadwork would be omitted to accommodate more in-depth drainage work.

It was also conceded by the ministry that generally no height surveys are being conducted and the sloping of the roads have not been addressed.

In August of 2022, the ministry announced receipt of the plan for a comprehensive approach to storm and waste water, with “recommendations, rules and regulations, for both storm water and waste water”.

At the announcement of that plan, it was stated “hard surfacing of (newly to develop) areas will cause storm water to be discharged very fast and thus forming a great threat for low-lying areas. The goal is to avoid huge amounts of storm water from flowing down very quickly and dragging everything along with it. Besides that, a quick rise of water levels may cause a lot a damage to buildings”.

The policy document for storm water includes a set of guidelines for slowing down the discharge as well as the storage of storm water in so called ‘detention ponds’ during the storm and for a period of time after the storm. “For new-to-develop areas, it is of utmost importance to adhere to these rules and guidelines to protect low-lying areas”, it was stated in 2022.

The capital investment 2024 budget includes 4 million guilders for hard surfacing of dirt roads, based on the CAPEX high lights from the VROMI ministry.

While the ministry determined Well Road to be a secondary road, the elucidation of the CAPEX high lights is “focused on secondary dirt roads island wide”.

Section 1 of the CAPEX Highlights mentioned the preparation works for Ackee Tree Drive and notes “the other roads in section one (Cole Bay) are pending the preparation works for drainage in the area (which are ongoing).

It is critical to understand what the ministry’s definition is of a secondary road and also which other roads in section 1 (Cole Bay), according to the ministry are pending the preparation works for drainage. What drainage work is ongoing?

MP Wescot continued her questions, based on the information provided by the ministry earlier this year and again during the handling of the 2024 budget amendment.

Who is responsible for the adequate sloping and drainage of the roads under construction in accordance with the Country St. Maarten Sewerage Master Plan 2020-2030?

Are the roads/drives in the Diamond Estate area (Peter John, Sea Grape, Bearded Fig Tree etc.) on the list of “secondary (dirt) roads? If not, why not?

The minister’s statement following the torrential rains of the past week alluded to strict measures regarding (new) developments.

Then the question begs: “what about government’s responsibility for the proper construction of the public infrastructure?”

I also took this opportunity to seek for further clarity on the government’s position on the road fund, given the recent statement by Prime Minister Mercelina that the loan which was provided to PJIA will come back to the country for infrastructural improvements.

If this is indeed the case, the road network plan needs to be updated and prioritized and the funding needs to be structured post haste, the MP concluded.

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - The second weekend of December brought an unforgettable sailing spectacle to the waters of Sint Maarten, St. Barth, and Anguilla, as the Sint Maarten Yacht Club and co-host Saint Martin Voile Pour Tous welcomed sailors to the 21st edition of the highly anticipated Course de l’Alliance, proudly sponsored by FKG.

The event kicked off on Thursday, December 5, with registration and a skipper’s briefing at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. Participating teams received shirts and a goodie bag. Race Officer Elja van der Horst led the skipper’s briefing, ensuring everyone was prepared for the exciting days ahead.

This year, 21 boats competed across four fleets: CSA 1, CSA 2, CSA Multihull, and the Diam fleet.

The first race took place on Friday, December 6, with boats starting at 11:00 a.m. from Simpson Bay and heading toward St. Barth. Ideal sailing conditions created a spectacular race, with the Diam fleet completing the course in just two hours. The Saint Barth Yacht Club welcomed participants with a happy hour, a delicious paella dinner, and the day’s prize-giving ceremony led by Elja van der Horst.

On Saturday, competitors embarked on a challenging journey from St. Barth to Anguilla. The race committee started the downwind race early, at 9:00 a.m., ensuring all fleets had ample time for the longer sail. The finish times of the teams varied significantly, with some finishing after five hours of sailing. The Anguilla Yacht Club greeted the sailors at the finish line, followed by a dinner and prize-giving ceremony at ROY’s.

The final leg on Sunday brought added excitement, especially for the Diam fleet, where the outcome of the last race would determine the overall winner. The Anguilla Yacht Club handled the start, allowing the committee boat to prepare the finish line in Simpson Bay.

After the final finish, sailors gathered at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club for the closing ceremony and prize-giving at 4:00 p.m. FKG provided trophies for the first-place winners in all fleets, while second and third places received fine bottles of wine.

In the CSA 1 Class, competition was fierce among eight boats. Maelia secured first place, followed by Dauntless in second and More Zessin’ in third.

The CSA 2 Class featured four Melges boats with closely matched performances. Budget Marine Rodeo finished fourth, Team IWW secured third, and Caraibes Diesel claimed second. The overall winner was the event sponsor, FKG.

In the CSA Multihull Class, two boats competed against each other, with Seaduction triumphing over Oceans Tribute.

The Diam Fleet showcased seven boats in this thrilling category. Karibuni placed third, while Cry Baby and Ty Male tied on points. Ty Male ultimately claimed first place after a thrilling final race.

The Course de l’Alliance was a resounding success thanks to the dedication of many. Special thanks were extended to Saint-Martin Voile Pour Tous, FKG, the Anguilla Yacht Club, and the St. Barth Yacht Club for their contributions to this cherished regatta. Also, a big shout out to AXA Yacht Services Ltd for helping the whole fleet with Anguilla clearance.

As sailors head home with unforgettable memories, the organizers expressed their appreciation to everyone who made this event possible, especially all competitors. Here’s to celebrating another successful edition of the Course de l’Alliance, and we hope to see everyone back for next year’s event.