PHILIPSBURG – Democratic Party (DP) Faction Leader Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams in a press release on Sunday, January 18, 2014, says that Parliament has been asked in an indirect way to give the Government of St. Maarten some time to get its feet wet, but that events in rapid succession are demanding Parliament's attention, and government is being called upon to respond with equal urgency.

“How else can one explain the sudden outburst by the Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BTP) in the press of Saturday, January 17th? To understand the anomaly of this and put this matter in perspective, we need to understand the organization of the institution BTP.

“This institution is created by law to execute a public task. There is a special BTP law that sets out BTP's organization, its structure, and its obligations. The BTP is considered an independent organization. The only interference by government or a minister is what is afforded the minister in the same BTP law. At least that is how it is supposed to be!
However, the minister(s) is/are politically responsible for the institution towards Parliament.

“Yet, BTP comes out swinging at "government" and makes it abundantly clear that they do so with the blessings of the TEATT (ed Minister of Tourism, Economy, Transport and Telecommunciations) Minister, the Honourable Claret Conner.  The Minister of Finance of St. Maarten has in the past not concealed his concern with respect to this organization, as it is of significance for the budget of the country, and not only the Minister of Finance.

“Now the government (read the Minister of Finance) is publicly being admonished by the BTP to make information public to stem the flow of allegations of wrongdoings (?), again, with the blessings of his colleague minister. Could these two ministers not have corroborated internally?

“The way BTP has sought to defend its purchase of a building in Philipsburg, in my opinion truly leaves the Minister of Finance no other choice but to make public the report to which BTP refers in its statement.  It also leaves the Minister of Finance no choice but to explain to Parliament and the people of St. Maarten how the hierarchy structure of BTP functions.

“I eagerly await the Finance Minister's reaction to this sudden outburst by BTP.
And maybe something from his colleague minister as well?,” DP Parliamentary Faction Leader MP Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Sunday. (DP Faction) 

BELAIR — International charity organisation Greenzones is in the process of setting up its online platform to benefit St. Maarten. An information meeting will be held in which Greenzones will explain to local charities and foundations how they can help. The presentation will take place on January 20 at the Belair Community Centre, from 6:30 pm.

Greenzones is an initiative that connects charities and causes to companies and professionals in their region that can provide the help that they need, free of charge.  

Its volunteers have more than two decades of experience in humanitarian and social initiatives.

The organisation recognises the growing need to unify the non-profit and for-profit worlds to collectively impact and improve the world in a much greater and more efficient way than either could do on their own.

The Greenzones founders and advisory team consists of a diverse multinational group of individuals and industry leaders in both the non-profit and for-profit worlds driven by both passion and purpose. 

Greenzones champions causes and individuals that are making a difference, giving their efforts of love regional and international recognition and support. 

The organisation provides a central database for all charities and causes and their specific needs in the Caribbean, to encourage volunteering and easy access for professionals and companies with a social mission to connect and help with those needs. 

This makes it easier for charities to achieve their goals without having to expend so much time and energy finding funding. 

The platform encourages in-kind giving from people and companies, and facilitates the connections between the need and the giver. There are no commissions, 100% of the donation and gift goes directly to the charity.

Sharon Tanaka, together with Priya Thirumur from K1 Britannia Foundation, are responsible for introducing the platform to St. Maarten, after they saw the need for it here. They believe Greenzones will be able to make a difference for charities and foundations on the island.

“We want to help you to achieve your goal of making a difference in whatever area you’re focusing on, through connecting you to those who can provide what you need,” said Tanaka. 

“That way, you can focus on making a difference rather than having to expend so much time and energy finding funding. Whether your charity or cause is big or small, well established or a new start up, Greenzones is here to help you,” she added.

Tanaka and Thirumur invite all charities, causes and foundations, as well as anyone who wants to make a difference, to attend their presentation on Tuesday, January 20 to learn more about how Greenzones can help them, and how to join this free online platform.  

The information session will be held at the Belair Community Centre from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visitwww.greenzones.org

PHILIPSBURG – ThePermanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-parliamentary Relations of Parliament will meet in session on January 16th.

The Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-parliamentary Relations Central Committee meeting is set for Friday at 10.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda for the meeting is a debriefing related to the recently concluded Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultationthat took place in Aruba last week.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 120, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the Internet www.pearlfmradio.com, and also via www.sxmparliament.org. 

PHILIPSBURG - In addition, the police department has been busy with many traffic controls and will soon receive a list of names of those persons who did not settle their outstanding fines at the Receivers Office. 

All these persons should take this information into consideration. Those persons, whose names are registered on the list for outstanding fines, will be dealt with in accordance with the law, one of which is being incarcerated under orders of the Public Prosecutor.  (Police Force Sint Maarten)