SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - As 2025 draws to a close, Member of Parliament Omar E.C. Ottley is reflecting on a year defined by purposeful legislative work, persistent advocacy, and unwavering dedication to the people of St. Maarten, demonstrating that meaningful impact can be made from the legislative branch, even while in opposition.

Throughout the year, MP Ottley remained focused on addressing critical challenges affecting the people, through a solution oriented approach at aimed providing Government with the tools needed to execute change for the people.

Among his key legislative actions in 2025, MP Ottley:

• Submitted a Profit Tax Ordinance amendment to the Social Economic Council (SER), aimed at reducing profit tax in a phased approach.
• Presented a draft amendment to the National Ordinance regulating admittance to and expulsion from St. Maarten (LTU), seeking to secure rights and protections for children born in St. Maarten who are undocumented. Now in the final stages of the legislative trajectory, awaiting a follow-up meeting in Parliament.
• Co-presented amendments to the 2025 National Budget.
• Presented a motion for a fair and just early release policy at the Point Blanche House of Detention, promoting rehabilitation and human dignity, pending action by the Minister of Justice.
• Presented a motion to reduce fuel prices, recognizing the ongoing cost-of-living pressures faced by residents, with government follow-through still pending.
• Submitted a Ministerial Regulation to the Minister of TEATT proposing sustainable reductions to GEBE costs for all consumers, reinforcing the need for long-term energy affordability.
• Presented the GEBE relief petition to Parliament, giving voice to public concern over escalating utility costs, now awaiting action by Parliament’s Petition Committee.
• Advocated successfully for vulnerable families during the holiday season, writing to Government and NV GEBE to suspend electricity disconnections—an appeal that received a positive response.
• Hosted the Third Annual Christmas Give Back, bringing joy and tangible support to hundreds of children and families across the community.

Reflecting on the year, MP Ottley shared:

“As we close one chapter and prepare for new beginnings, I remain deeply committed to doing meaningful, productive work that makes a real difference in people’s lives. Progress is not defined by position, but by purpose. Even in opposition, the legislative branch remains a powerful space to advocate, to challenge, and to build solutions for our people.”

Looking ahead to the new year, MP Ottley offered words of encouragement and reassurance to the public:

“As we welcome a new year, I extend heartfelt wishes of health, hope, and renewed strength to every resident of St. Maarten.

The passing year reminded us of both our challenges and our resilience as a people. It reinforced the importance of the need for unity, compassion, and purposeful leadership, especially in times when many families continue to face economic pressures and uncertainty. Through it all, I have remained committed to standing with you, listening to your concerns, and advocating for policies that place people first.

A new year brings new beginnings, but it also calls for reflection and responsibility. From my role in Parliament, I will continue to work tirelessly, to ensure your voices are heard, your rights are protected, and your future is prioritized. Touch One, Touch ALL!

I want to assure you that my dedication to St. Maarten does not waver with circumstance. Whether in government or opposition, my commitment remains the same: to serve with integrity, to lead with purpose, and to fight for solutions that make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.

As we step into this new year, let us move forward together with optimism, determination, and faith in what we can achieve as one people. I remain honored by your trust and encouraged by your strength.

May the new year bring peace to our homes, stability to our economy, and progress to our nation.

Happy New Year, St. Maarten.”

SINT MAARTEN (EBENEZER) - In the early morning hours of Monday, December 30, 2025, just before 3:00 AM, officers of the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSM) and personnel from the Fire Department responded to reports of a house fire in Ebenezer.

Upon arrival, emergency responders found the residence fully engulfed in flames. A preliminary assessment confirmed that all residents had safely evacuated the property prior to the arrival of emergency services.

Fire Department personnel acted swiftly to bring the blaze under control, preventing the fire from spreading to neighboring properties. One resident was subsequently treated at the scene by ambulance personnel for smoke inhalation.

The Forensic Department and Fire Department are currently conducting a joint investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Just before the start of the Christmas holiday season, Hubert Nijgh, Chairman of the Stichting Koopvaardijpersoneel 1940–1945, paid a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Drs. Gracita Arrindell, Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten in The Hague.

Before the outbreak of World War II, the Netherlands had one of the largest and most modern merchant fleets in the world with over 1100 hundred seagoing vessels. Many of those ships and their crews were deployed for Allied war purposes during the war.

The discussion focused on the significant contribution of the merchant navy during the Second World War. Merchant vessels played a crucial role in the Allied victory and were manned by seafarers from across the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including individuals originating from Sint Maarten.

Based on the database of the Stichting Koopvaardijpersoneel 1940–1945, a list has been compiled of 17 crew members of Sint Maarten origin who served in the merchant navy during World War II.

The names and dates of births (DOB) of the Sint Maarteners are: Cannegieter, James Henry Adolphus (DOB 24-11-1895); Cathlin, James Alfred (15-02-1919); Christopher, Janijen (29-11-1913); Curlingford, Thomas James (23-09-1887); Dunker, Charles Wilfred (17-04-1915); Laveist, Esau Emmanuel (05-06-1919); Richards, Byron Albert (10-02-1913); Richardson, Austin Stanley (30-09-1914); Richardson, George Reuben (16-03-1910); Richardson, J. (28-09-1910); Richardson, Joseph Alphonse (12-03-1912); Richardson, Philip Emanuel (22-08-1926); Segly, William (15-03-1915); Stakelborough, George (18-10-1914); Steward, Jubilus Augustine (28-05-1915); Thomas, Estivane Augustin (18-10-1908); and Wilson, Joseph Alphonso (16-03-1912).

The link to the databank which is in English: https://www.koopvaardijpersoneel40-45.nl/en/databank

The Merchant Navy Databank launched in 2023 is freely accessible to anyone looking for information about merchant ships and crews that served during the Second World War. People can search by last name. The Databank contains the records of 21.000 merchant navy personnel from 1940-1945. You can also search by ship name. The Databank includes more than 1.200 merchant vessels with crew lists.

Several of these seafarers lost their lives at sea as a result of enemy attacks. Their service and sacrifice underscore a shared history of cooperation and solidarity within the Kingdom.

This chapter of history is of great significance to Sint Maarten, as it contributes to a deeper understanding of the role played by Sint Maarteners in the wartime history of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and highlights the importance of lasting recognition.

1200 merchant ships sailed under the Dutch flag when war broke out. The freighters, coastal vessels and tugboats that entered Allied service were manned by 32,000 sailors, over 19,000 of whom were Dutch. They were compelled to participate in Allied warfare in June 1940.

43 Dutch ships were involved in the evacuation of Allied troops and civilians from French ports and the British Channel Islands in May and June 1940. 525 Dutch ships were lost in World War II.

Approximately 4.200 merchant navy seamen died during mandatory support of the Allied warfare (over 2,700 Dutch and over 1,400 non-Dutch sailors). 160 crew members lost their lives even before the war began. 43 Merchant navy ships and several fishing vessels were attacked with mines, bombs and torpedoes in the neutral period. That's the period between September 1, 1939, and May 10, 1940, when the Netherlands was not at war. Fishing vessels also suffered losses.

Drs. P. Rostam, Senior Economic Policy Advisor, was also present at the meeting.

(L to R) Hubert Nijgh, Chairman of the Stichting Koopvaardijpersoneel 1940–1945 receiving a gift of appreciation from Her Excellency Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita Arrindell.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Secretaries General of the various Ministries, together with the Secretary General to the Council of Ministers, recently completed a compact and intensive interactive workshop facilitated by the Holiday Institute for Governance and Economics (HI). The training, titled “Public Governance Concepts and Practices: The Role of Senior Civil Servants,” commenced on November 26 and concluded on December 1, 2025.

The workshop was primarily financed by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) through the Temporary Work Organization (TWO) under the Country Packages, in support of ongoing efforts to strengthen public administration and improve governance practices.

While similar sessions on Public Governance were previously provided to the Council of Ministers and Parliament, this program was specifically tailored to the role and responsibilities of the Secretaries General within the Government Administration. The workshop covered several key modules, including:

• Foundations of Governance
• Policy Development and Decision-Making
• Innovation and Digital Governance
• Strategic Planning
• Trends and Challenges in Governance
• The interface between the political sphere and the civil service

According to HI president Drs. Eugene B. Holiday, the program was designed to strengthen the leadership and advisory capacities of senior civil servants, equipping them with skills to navigate complex government challenges. The workshop emphasized practical approaches grounded in internationally recognized governance best practices to support sound, consistent, and comprehensive decision-making.

Participants expressed their commitment to applying the insights gained to enhance policy consistency, strengthen their advisory roles, and improve the overall effectiveness of public service delivery. They further acknowledged the value of strengthening proactive engagement, both in their individual leadership roles and collectively through the Secretaries General (SG) Platform, to support timely and effective decision-making across the administration.