THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – This Sunday, the first St. Maarten’s Day celebration of the season, organized by the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague, attracted over 600 St. Maarteners and friends of St. Maarten. They enjoyed an afternoon and evening with live performances by St. Maarten artists and a choice of authentic island cuisine in a festive St. Maarten style atmosphere.

Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, in her welcoming words emphasized the role of St. Maarten’s Day as an occasion for the community to come together and find strength and inspiration in exchanging experiences and making new connections. She reminded the young St. Maarteners in the Netherlands including the students that their country needs their talents.

Drs. Arrindell highlighted the fact that the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary is working on establishing a database of students and persons who wish to return to St. Maarten as a crucial means to eliminate the capacity deficit that exists on St. Maarten.

Drs. Arrindell remarked: “I really felt it was necessary for the Cabinet to organize this St. Maarten’s Day event. It was not possible for various reasons in recent years. The fantastic turnout and very positive feedback we are getting now confirms that there was a true need for us to do this.”

Feedback from both visitors and vendors at the celebration was very positive. As one young lady from St. Maarten now working in the Netherlands remarked: “I like the vibes! How entrepreneurs and talent come together makes it very festive. It makes me proud to be a St. Maartener.” Many vendors pointed at their empty chafing dishes as a reply: “Sold out!”

The celebration was organized by the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in partnership with Small Island Unity Foundation. Performing artists were Darren on the steelpan, The One Man Asylum DJ Spy, Big Dano, Patrick Grayham, DJ Richy Stylez and Cay Hill. They got the crowd dancing and singing along.

The venue was filled to capacity with visitors celebrating.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - This coming Friday, a critical continuation of the Central Committee meeting will take place, led by a request from, Members of Parliament (MPs) Richinel Brug, Ludmilla De Weever and Sjamira Roseburg, MP Roseburg said in a press statement.

“Together, we have called for this meeting to ensure that the Minister of Justice directly addresses urgent questions about the state of our police force and justice system—issues that put the safety of our community at risk.

“This meeting follows our initial session on October 21, where key questions were raised about police capacity, resources, and working conditions. Now, we expect concrete answers from the Minister, with an opportunity for us to ask further additional questions needed to clarify the Ministry’s immediate plans.

“The state of our police force is a matter of pressing concern. Police officers are leaving, and without replacements, capacity is dwindling at an alarming rate. There aren’t enough new recruits in Sint Maarten to cover the gaps, and even with ongoing training efforts, it would take years to reach the staffing levels needed to serve the community effectively. This reality highlights the need for an urgent, short-term solution to support our police force immediately.

“I therefore stand firmly in solidarity with NAPB- Sint Maarten President Marcus Pantophlet, who has called attention to the unacceptable conditions our officers are facing. As Pantophlet pointed out, the lack of reliable patrol vehicles severely limits the KPSM’s ability to protect and serve, while also posing direct risks to officer safety. Police vehicles and other resources are vital tools for our officers to perform their duties effectively. Additionally, the health risks faced by customs officers due to unsafe working conditions are issues that cannot be ignored. Our justice personnel are facing increasingly difficult and hazardous working conditions, and this situation is untenable.

“These concerns are more than just operational challenges—they are issues of safety, for both our officers and the entire community. It’s clear: we cannot compromise on safety. Every delay or underinvestment in the police force puts our community at risk, and we cannot allow that to continue. This is not an area where corners can be cut or solutions postponed.

“One of my primary questions for the Minister on Friday is simple but urgent: What is the Ministry’s short-term plan to address this crisis? The Minister has previously mentioned plans to purchase new police vehicles, partly funded through the Crime fund, but we need a clear timeline when this will take place. To avoid the ministry to continue to work ad-hoc its important to have the crime fund policy in place with the 2025 budget as outlined in the motion approved by parliament on October 29th, 2024, where the minister of justice is urged to consider incorporating funding allocation for Law enforcement.

“As we approach this Friday’s meeting, I encourage the Justice Ministry to recognize the urgency of these issues and prioritize swift, actionable solutions. The safety and well-being of our officers and the community they protect are directly linked to these decisions, and the Ministry must act accordingly.

“I look forward to Friday’s discussion and encourage the public to be present at this meeting in parliament or to tune in live at 2 pm on the parliament’s YouTube channel. This is an issue that impacts every member of our community, and public awareness and involvement are essential as we push for solutions to enhance safety and security for Sint Maarten,” MP Sjamira Roseburg stated.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Social & Health Insurances (SZV) held its third annual Employee Health Awareness Event on October 4, bringing together employees and mental health professionals for an afternoon of insightful discussions and practical advice on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and managing stress effectively.

This year, SZV’s HR team welcomed mental healthcare professionals Dr. J. Arnell and Ms. Alexandrine Peterson, who led sessions on work-life balance and stress management, topics identified as essential for today’s dynamic work environment. Their expertise provided SZV employees with tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of professional and personal life, equipping them with techniques to manage stress and improve their overall quality of life.

"Our annual Health Awareness Event has become one of the highlights of the year, aligning with our Beyond 3.0 strategic goal to foster a people-centered culture. We are thrilled to see our employees embrace these initiatives, which are crucial in promoting a more informed, engaged, and health-conscious workforce." – SZV Management

The focus on stress management and work-life balance has proven highly relevant and impactful for SZV employees. Attendance has increased each year, underscoring a growing dedication to personal health among the staff. This year’s event reflected SZV’s dedication to supporting employees in their pursuit of wellness, both personally and professionally. By prioritizing internal wellness initiatives, SZV aims to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity, reinforcing its role in building a supportive and effective work culture.

These initiatives ensure that SZV employees are prepared to serve the community effectively, maintaining a healthy balance in their roles and supporting each other along the way.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Leader of the United People's Party (UP) and Member of Parliament, Hon. Omar E.C. Ottley, has criticized "politicians who prioritize tax breaks and bailouts for the wealthy over relief for St. Maarten's most vulnerable citizens."

He said the recent vote against the GEBE Motion by Leader of the Democratic Party and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and Prime Minister Dr Luc Mercelina is part of a pattern of favouring tax breaks and bailouts for the wealthy at the expense of the most vulnerable people of St. Maarten.

Ottley highlighted a pattern of selective governance that benefits powerful institutions at the expense of working families, reminding residents that under a DP-led coalition, institutions such as the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) and ENNIA have been able to get lucrative tax breaks and bailouts.

"There's a disturbing history of missed opportunities to do good for the people of St. Maarten. This government, which lacks creative revenue-generating measures, could have continued the process of the past government to collect funds from AUC that could have bought generators for NV GEBE instead of putting the financial burden on struggling residents already facing high energy costs."

Some ten years ago, a Democratic Party (DP) led government gave the (AUC) significant tax breaks. AUC later sold under a new DP-Led Coalition and should have paid nearly USD 81 million in profit taxes, and to date has a balance USD$57.5 which the government never collected.

In both cases, the President of Parliament, the Honourable Sarah Wescot-Williams, was the leader of the DP. "If those funds had been collected, they could have funded relief for citizens facing high energy costs or supported essential projects without adding to the 2024 budget strain," said MP Ottley.

He added that the government, led by Prime Minister Dr Mercelina and supported by the DP, was fully aware when recently approving the US$90 million ENNIA bailout that they were also drafting the 2024 Budget Amendment to ask St. Maarten's taxpayers to cover NAf.75.6 million for three generators for NV GEBE.

Yet, instead of prioritizing the people of St. Maarten, especially the most vulnerable and senior citizens, the DP leader again voted against the GEBE Motion, neglecting the needs of struggling residents. MP Ottley acknowledged that in the past, the UP was also part of the coalition, and those members of UP then were not without fault.

However, as the new leader of the "New UP Party," Ottley is committed to greater accountability. MP Ottley asked whether the current government, which includes those who previously approved these deals for AUC and ENNIA, will finally collect what AUC owes.

MP Ottley said the three members of parliament who decided to vote against the GEBE Motion to ease energy costs for everyone, especially low- and middle-income families and seniors, show a disconnect with the reality for the people of St. Maarten.

"The people of St. Maarten deserve leaders who prioritize their needs above those of the wealthy," he stated. Pointing to the recent ENNIA bailout, Ottley emphasized the double standard in allocating government funds. "While a private company received funds, citizens struggling with high GEBE bills were overlooked," he remarked.

"This selective governance leaves those who need support most out in the cold, while tax breaks and deals for the wealthy continue unchecked." "Christmas is fast approaching, and the people of St. Maarten will have to choose between food for their families and high electricity bills if the motion's intent is not carried out, which is to give the people relief," said MP Ottley.

Reflecting on his tenure as Minister of VSA under the UP/NA coalition, Ottley recalled the government's efforts to pursue unpaid taxes from AUC. Now, with the same leaders who previously allowed AUC to evade its tax obligations back in office, Ottley voiced concerns that history might repeat itself, favouring the wealthy at the public's expense.

"The people of St. Maarten have waited long enough for real relief and responsible leadership," he declared. "As the UP moves forward, we pledge to push for policies that benefit everyone, not just the wealthy. It's time for a new chapter in St. Maarten's politics that values transparency, accountability, and, above all, the well-being of its people."

While MP Sarah Wescot-Williams, MP Kotai, and Prime Minister Mercelina claim that GEBE relief for St. Maarteners is unrealistic, Ottley pointed to a successful example in Curaçao.

On Thursday, October 31, Aqualectra, Curaçao's utility provider, announced a pilot program that will launch in early November, offering reconnection to over a thousand households previously disconnected due to unpaid bills. This initiative allows families with overdue payments of over 31 days to reconnect to water and electricity services under a new model that encourages controlled, independent consumption.

Aqualectra aims to reconnect these households to essential services by Christmas, allowing them to manage their electricity and water use through prepaid options. Aqualectra has faced rising customer debt in recent years, totalling nearly 12 million florins.

However, the company has consistently sought solutions to manage unpaid bills while prioritizing the well-being of its clients. Unlike the proposal in St. Maarten, Curaçao didn't ask its people to cover millions in costs for new infrastructure but found a way to support its citizens during tough times.

In fact, Aqualectra received financing from local (St. Maarten) lenders as they willingly met the requirement of submitting their finances ahead of loans being granted. "If Curaçao can do it, why can't we?"

Ottley questioned, further highlighting the gap in leadership and commitment to the well-being of St. Maarten's most vulnerable. "The people deserve a government that will take action and follow examples of successful relief programs for the sake of the community."