Email Newsletter
Emmanuel's waste-to-energy memorandum

PHILIPSBURG - On December 14 of last year, former VROMI-Minister Christophe Emmanuel paraded a memorandum of understanding to journalists during the weekly Council of Ministers press briefing about the construction of a waste-to energy facility....

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Dear Reader

Due to the fire at a landfill site on Pond Island, the Prime Minister and members of the Council of Ministers continue to assess the situation and based on discussions Monday evening, a number of decisions have been taken. 

The decision was taken to have the following schools in the Philipsburg area to remain closed on Tuesday, February 6: Charlotte Brookson Academy; Oranje School; Genevieve DeWeever School - Cycles 1 & 2; Sister Borgia School; St. Joseph Primary School; and Sundial School. The Minister of Education advises the University of St. Martin to remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure.  

A decision was taken to evacuate the residents and persons in the temporary shelters at the Little League Ball Park and the Festival Village to an alternative location. The evacuation of these two temporary shelters took place from Monday evening.  

The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour is coordinating this evacuation. 

Residents that live on Pond Island are strongly advised to evacuate their homes and find alternative shelter with family and/or friends. 

The Police and Fire departments will be sending teams through Pond Island residential areas to assess which persons are still in their home, and will encourage them to seek alternative housing.

The Fire Department has indicated during a Monday evening assessment that the fire continues to burn on the landfill. The Ministry of VROMI and the Fire Department have implemented a system of trenching along the perimeter of the fire to prevent further spread of the fire. 

Although this method has contained the fire to a certain extent, the massive size of the fire continues to flare up and generate smoke. The Fire Department from the North side of the island continues to render assistance. 

The general population is advised to wear nose and mouth mask to avoid the inhalation of the fumes generated from the fire. 

In general the Government Building and specific public services will remain closed on Tuesday, February 6; Secretary Generals and Department Heads within the seven ministries were advised to communicate with Civil Servants that are under their management to report to work where necessary and to arrange alternative locations and measures to ensure operations within key services of the Government of Sint Maarten continues. 

The Ministry of VSA section Social Services will be available at the Government Administration Building for emergency information for persons living in the Pond Island area. 

The Fire Department, continues to advise persons living downwind from the landfill fire, to close windows and doors, especially persons who have a respiratory challenge such as asthma, or shortness of breath; and to pay particular attention to young children and senior citizens.


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Enjoy reading this newsletter! Do have a great week! And make sure get one of those facemasks from the Nature Foundation. That Irma dump fire is a stubborn one.

The Publisher
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EDITORIAL: "IRMA DUMP FIRE"

You may have been curious to read what opinionated comments we at StMaartenNews.com would have on this latest dump fire catastrophe. However, apparently, we must distinguish that this fire is on the new dump site former VROMI Minister Emmanuel created for the cleaned up debris from hurricane Irma. So technically it is not the usual smoldering landfill fire. We also wonder whether this is another case of arson. The thought that we may very well have a pyromaniac roaming around on Pond Island is also a thought for the authorities to consider. However, the amount of combustible material that is dumped at these sites pose the most likeliest source of this amazingly stubborn fire. The situation is sad, especially for all those living in the area and downwind (in whichever direction the wind blows), and all the possible short term and long term effects it will have on their health. In this case, all we can do is hold our tongue, cover our noses and hope the authorities get the Irma dump fire quickly under control.

StMaartenNews.com Feature News
Dupersoy strikes back: "Cee Marlin bullies my mother"

PHILIPSBURG - Kendall Dupersoy contests Cee Marlin's claims to land in the Keys (See: Cee Marlin fights illegal occupants of his family's land, first published on February 1, 2018). "Out of the blue comes Mr. Marlin claiming the land belongs to...

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UPDATED: Cee Marlin fights illegal occupants of his...

UPDATED VERSION: In an earlier version the article stated that Leroy la Paix lives in a house on the Marlin property for which he does not pay a penny. This is incorrect. La Paix's mother bought the house back in the seventies; Marlin maintains...

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stmaartennews.com
StMaartenNews.com Feature Article
Extreme measure

By Hilbert Haar ~ The Dutch intervention in Statia is, as even State Secretary Raymond Knops admitted, an extreme measure. It is also an event that may get people in St. Maarten thinking about their mid-term future. And no, I'm not saying that the...

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stmaartennews.com
A haven for the globetrotting gourmet

By Chris Morvan ~ You wouldn't believe how excited I was to find a dripping, stinking piece of Brie in a supermarket chiller last week. But then you probably haven't spent the last four years in countries where what you might call "good food"...

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stmaartennews.com
StMaartenNews.com Headline News
Photo Reportage: Clouds of smoke covered Philipsburg

Great Bay - Close to 24 hours after the initial fire which has continued to burn out of control on Pond Island, there are more questions than answers with regards to the final solution to a problem that has been going on for a number of years.

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stmaartennews.com
Landfill Fire: Urgent Notices from Government

Landfill Fire: COM Closes Schools in Philipsburg. Business Owners and residents should take measures GREAT BAY - Due to the fire at the Pond Island landfill, the Prime Minister in collaboration with the Council of Ministers took the following...

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stmaartennews.com
Nature Foundation Distributes Facemasks to Protect...

Philipsburg - The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation has distributed almost 300 facemasks on Monday to residents affected by the landfill fire which has been raging at the Irma Landfill. Facemasks were especially distributed to the elderly, those...

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stmaartennews.com
Persons evacuated due to toxic fire in Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG - Most of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten was clouded in smoke Monday, due to a large fire on the island's dump. Schools, businesses and the government administration building closed down due to the hazardous smoke.

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caribbeannetwork.ntr.nl
StMaartenNews.com Throwback Tuesday (TBT)
The Creator of the Irma Dump Site now on fire

Political satirical cartoon

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stmaartennews.com
Minister Emmanuel visit dump

Minister Emmanuel visit's the dump on Sint Maarten.

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StMaartenNews.com Parliament
Cable TV debate focuses on TelEm

PHILIPSBURG - The Central Committee dealt on Monday afternoon with the situation of the workers at St. Maarten Cable TV. While Cable TV employees were present in the tribune, the debate was more about TelEm's acquisition of the company than about ...

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stmaartennews.com
Opposition keeps finding fault with labor legislation

PHILIPSBURG - The tripartite committee unanimously supports changes to the civil code geared towards better rules for labor contracts, but opposition MPs of the National Alliance still found fault with the draft Minister Emil Lee (Public Health,...

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stmaartennews.com
StMaartenNews.com Police News
Fire on the new dumpsite/ hurricane Irma debris...

Philipsburg - All streets leading to Pond Island are closed off by police due to the massive fire that started at the new dumpsite (hurricane Irma debris) on Sunday afternoon February 4th. The Fire department and other relevant departments who...

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stmaartennews.com
Man found dead in Simpson Bay

Philipsburg - On Monday at approximately 07.00 a.m. Police, Detectives and paramedics were sent by the Emergency Dispatch to an apartment building located on Peterson Drive in Simpson bay to investigate a case involving a man that was lying on...

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stmaartennews.com
Joint approach in registration of reporting agents with FIU

PHILIPSBURG - In August 2017, the Public Prosecution Service, KPSM, RST and FIU Sint Maarten launched a criminal investigation into 13 service providers that do not, or insufficiently, cooperate with their registration with the Financial...

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stmaartennews.com
Man shot in hand

Philipsburg - Detectives are presently investigating the shooting of man which took place in the early hours on Monday february 5th. The incident took place in the vicinity of Scotia Bank/Simpson Bay Yacht Club and Marina. According to the victim ...

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stmaartennews.com
StMaartenNews.com Health
Stranded SZV patients in The Dominican Republic

PHILIPSBURG - It is a known issue that the discharged Medical Referral patients of SZV, currently in the Dominican Republic are now faced with prolonged stays in the country due to the cancellations of PAWA airline flights. SZV recognizes the...

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stmaartennews.com
MHF launches new website. Appointments can be made online...

CAY HILL - The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) launched it's new, now modern website, created by Daphne Wong A Foe - a 19 year old Dutch student from The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), MHF announced on Tuesday last.

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www.soualiganewsday.com
Mental Health Foundation presents Love & Semicolon projects

CAY HILL - On March 9 th & 10 th, the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) presents Love & Semicolon (Friday, March 9 th at 7pm), Green Thumbs Project (Saturday, March 10 th at 9am), and Beautifying M.H.F. (Saturday at 12pm) through SXM DOET.

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www.soualiganewsday.com
StMaartenNews.com Interviews
Interview Lee Halley gets over 10,000 views

Photo caption: StMaartenNews.com's interview with Lee Halley gets well over 10,000 views as of today, Monday, February 5th, 2018. The video interview was published on Friday, February 2nd. Therefore, it has garnered over 10,000 views over a...

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StMaartenNews.com Legal Reviews
Ombudsman starts Systemic Investigation Disaster Management

Philipsburg - With eyes on the effects, recovery and rebuilding in the wake of the hurricanes of September 2017, and considering that in a short four (4) months' time the next hurricane season will be upon us, the Ombudsman Dr. Nilda Arduin (see...

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stmaartennews.com
Ombudsman starts Systemic Investigation Rent Committee

Philipsburg - The Bureau of the Ombudsman continues to receive visits from citizens concerned about their housing conditions, as well as complaints about the Rent Committee allegedly not cooperating or responding adequately when addressed by the...

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stmaartennews.com
The Cooperative Association explained

Under the law of Sint Maarten it is possible to form a co-operative association (coöperatieve vereniging, or coöperatie) also called a co-operative. The co-operative is a distinct legal entity, a special kind of association, formed by two or more ...

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StMaartenNews.com Opinions
"In support of Independent media"
by Hilbert Haar
In support of our independent media

By Hilbert Haar ~ The Rotary Club Mid-Isle invited me to join in for a club meeting last Tuesday at Wasabi Charley in Simpson Bay. After having turned down quite some previous invitations due to conflicting work schedules, this time I managed to...

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stmaartennews.com
StMaartenNews.com Dutch Caribbean News
Netherlands takes over in Statia

THE HAGUE - The Netherlands takes over the tasks of the island-government in Statia, State Secretary Raymond Knops (Kingdom Relations) announced on Monday. The island council will be dismantled and the commissioners and the acting lt. governor...

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stmaartennews.com
Koos Sneek: "Very unfortunate, but unavoidable"

Dear Editor, This morning early, I have taken notice of the news that the National Government has taken the decision to sideline the government of St. Eustatius and to appoint a special commissioner who will take over the governing of the island. ...

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stmaartennews.com
The Dutch cabinet takes over Sint-Eustatius

THE HAGUE - State Secretary Raymond Knops (Kingdom Relations) will take over the management of the special municipality of St. Eustatius. A devastating report reveals how local politicians don't comply with the legislation. The financial...

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caribbeannetwork.ntr.nl
Government wants to set up economic fund of 1 billion

WILLEMSTAD - The government assumes that there is no more space to economize than is already planned. The Minister of Finance, Kenneth Gijsbertha has now stated that the government intends to save money and to invest in a fund with which economic ...

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curacaochronicle.com
StMaartenNews.com Poll

Yes - 50%
No - 50%

Poll sponsored by  StMaartenFlowers.com, because Valentine's Day is right around the corner.
Are you directly affected by the fires and toxic smoke emanating from the dump?
Yes
No
Not directly
PUBLIC NOTICE
Landfill Fire: Government Building Closed....

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) - The fire at the Pond Island landfill has grown and Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin has decided to close the Government Administration Building for Monday, February 5. Civil servants who work in the Government...

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stmaartennews.com
Landfill Fire: CBA School Closed

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) - Due to the fire at the Pond Island landfill, the Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs Leona Romeo Marlin in consultation with the Minister of Education and other relevant entities, hereby makes known that...

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stmaartennews.com
Landfill Fire: Urgent Notices from Government

Landfill Fire: COM Closes Schools in Philipsburg. Business Owners and residents should take measures GREAT BAY - Due to the fire at the Pond Island landfill, the Prime Minister in collaboration with the Council of Ministers took the following...

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stmaartennews.com
TelEm Group technician restore internet service

Pond Island- At approximately 1.45 pm Monday afternoon, TelEm Group technicians restored internet services to customers island-wide following an early morning system crash. The technicians worked diligently after identifying the problem and...

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StMaartenNews.com Online News Stories
Yacht Club hosts Soup Cook Off

Simpson Bay - The Sint Maarten Yacht Club hosted its first annual Soup Cook Off yesterday afternoon to raise funds for its Rebuilding Program after hurricane Irma destroyed the docks, deck and the extreme water force washed a lot of the land...

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Let's Cruise - Eastern, Western, Southern Caribbean...

Lets-Cruise.co is offering cruise vacations on the best and biggest cruise ships in the world with brand name cruises and destinations in the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and the Mediterranean, ...

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Frans questions role of Post Office in voting cards...

Philipsburg - Leader of the United St. Maarten (US) party MP Frans Richardson on Monday questioned what the role of the Post Office will be in distributing voting cards for the February 26 Parliamentary election. Richardson was reaction to...

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Celebrity Cruises returns to the destination with 44 visits

SINT MAARTEN (PORT ST. MAARTEN) - Celebrity Cruises will be returning to the island on February 6, 2018 with Celebrity Equinox. Port St. Maarten Management is looking forward to the return of Celebrity Cruises to the destination as Royal...

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www.soualiganewsday.com
Requirements for Maximum 21 day Vending Permit

GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) - The Inspectorate of TEATT (Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications) and the Department of Economic Licenses would jointly like to advise the general public that those persons wishing to request a ...

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www.soualiganewsday.com
Minister of Justice commends law enforcement on apprehension

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Minister of Justice Cornelius de Weever commends the Sint Maarten Police Force as well as other law enforcement entities with respect to the apprehension of two men who were classified as armed and very dangerous. The ...

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www.soualiganewsday.com
Voting cards pick up locations open; Philipsburg closed

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - In regards to the upcoming February 26 th, 2018, Parliamentary Elections, the Civil Registry Department will be distributing the voting cards at four different locations: the Dutch Quarter Helpdesk, St. Peters Rupert...

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www.soualiganewsday.com
SMCP SIGNS DECLARATION ERADICATION OF POVERTY

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - On Saturday, February 3 rd 2018, the Board of the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) signed a declaration stating that the Party's MPs (Ed Members of Parliament) will begin the process towards eradicating of poverty...

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Minister of Justice De Weever's Message for Safer...

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Tuesday, February 6 is Safer Internet Day and this year's theme is, 'Create, Connect and Share Respect: A better internet starts with you.' Over the years, Safer Internet Day (SID) has become a landmark event in the...

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www.soualiganewsday.com
Police and Fire Services Evacuate Persons Living on Pond ...

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - All streets leading to Pond Island are closed off by police due to the massive fire that started at the new dumpsite (hurricane Irma debris) on Sunday afternoon February 4 th.

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www.soualiganewsday.com
P'burg pick-up location for voting cards closed due to fire

POND ISLAND - The Civil Registry Department has temporarily closed the Old Census Office as a pick-up location due to the hazardous smoke situation on the landfill. Persons who vote in the following Philipsburg districts: John Larmonie Center,...

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Weather Forecast: Tuesday to Thursday

DATE ISSUED: Monday, February 05, 2018 @ 18:00 LST (22:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday evening (18:00 LST) February 06, 2018 ....A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN... WEATHER: Tonight: Partly cloudy and breezy, becoming cloudy at...

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StMaartenNews.com Column
Fly-in-something in the Caribbean

by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert ~ How about Fly-In Banking; like a drive-in fast food operation? No, it's no joke. In the Caribbean? Probably not, but that is not the point. One has to look at the principles of the concept and explore if one could do a...

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StMaartenNews.com Dutch News
Direct Amsterdam to London train delayed until 2020

The direct train service between Amsterdam and London will not start operations until 2020 because making deals about security and border controls are taking longer than expected, junior transport minister Stientje van Veldhoven told MPs on...

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www.dutchnews.nl
Dutch company register expands, biggest rise new companies

The number of businesses in the Netherlands in 2017 increased by 73,000, the national statistics office CBS said . The CBS said management consultancies again topped the list of new companies, with nearly 13,000 launched in 2017, but added they...

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www.dutchnews.nl
Family feud forces founders to sell celebrity stroller co...

Iconic Dutch stroller manufacturer Bugabloo, used by the likes of Madonna and Kate Middleton, has been acquired by Bain Capital Private Equity. Financial terms were not disclosed but the takeover sum is likely to be near the €200m which was...

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www.dutchnews.nl
SXM Daily News - 5 Feb 2018
SXM Daily News February 5, 2018

SXM Daily News February 5, 2018

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