PHILIPSBURG - The 40 year old suspect J.R., who was arrested at her home in Sint Peters, last Tuesday, June 30, 2015, appeared before the judge of instruction on Friday morning July 3rd. The judge of instruction judged the arrest and pre-trial detention as lawful insofar as it relates to stalking, according to the Public Prosecution Service press release issued on Friday afternoon. According to the judge of instruction there is no reason to release the suspect immediately.

“The blogger was arrested after several persons pressed charges against her for various offenses in the period from January 2014 until now. The reports cover not only slander, defamation and insult, but also threat, harassment (stalking) and extortion. These offenses were committed both through social media and in person (“face to face”).  

“Given the particular circumstances in this investigation, namely the activities of the suspects and the limited resources and manpower of (Ed. Police Force Sint Maarten) KPSM to conduct an investigation into “cybercrime”, a mediation process, rather than a criminal investigation, was initiated. During this mediation officials from as well KPSM as the Public Prosecutors Service spoke to the suspect, amongst to others,” according to the press release of the Public Prosecution Service.  

The press statement further adds that after several months, it has shown that the agreements made during the mediation were not respected by the suspect. “Above that, new statements against the suspect were made. Eventually, the Public Prosecutor was forced to proceed to arrest J.R. After her arrest, on June 30, a house search took place in her home in Sint Peters. Various data carriers (such as phones, laptops and computers) were confiscated for further investigation. Animal Welfare was called in to provide care for the dog and cats of the suspect.  

“During the pre-trial detention of J.R. it turned out to be very difficult to find a lawyer, who was available to assist the suspect. Ultimately, the judge of instruction had to appoint a lawyer. This measure was necessary since J.R., just as any other suspect in pre-trial detention, is entitled to legal assistance.  

“The Public Prosecutors Service expects that the investigation of KPSM needs a couple of additional days to interrogate the suspect on all charges against her. During this investigation J.R. remains in pre-trial detention. Finally, no abuse of J.R. took place during her detention,” the Public Prosecution Service press statement concluded.

UPDATE (SIMPSON BAY) - Police have given the all-clear sign and the bomb threat at SXM Airport is over.  Airport operations are back to normal as of 2.15PM.

The access roads leading to the SXM Airport, from the Simpson Bay Causeway round a bout and from the Maho round a bout have been re-opened.

Persons traveling today will have to check with their airline in connection with their flight schedule.

Minister of Transportation Hon. Claret Connor, Police Spokesman Inspector Henson and SXM Airport representative C. Brown gave an impromptu press conference to give an update.

The terminal building as well as the KLM aircraft was searched by various government agencies.  Travelers and personnel had to evacuate the terminal building to the parking area in order for the search to take place.

During the press conference Minister Connor pointed out that various protocols had to be followed according to international civil aviation regulations when a bomb threat is made.

The Minister added that he was very pleased with the professionalism carried out by all authorities, and every effort was made to limit the inconvenience to travellers, adding that number one was caution and prevention as well as safety of all concerned.

Brown stated that things went smoothly as protocols were followed, adding that SXM Airport were well trained and prepared for these types of situations.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM) – The Police Department has closed roads leading to the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport), from the Simpson Bay Causeway round-a-bout and from the Maho round-a-bout in connection with a bomb threat at SXM Airport related to KLM 785.  The bomb threat was received at 11.45AM.

Motorists are requested to avoid traveling to SXM Airport at this point in time.  Police check-points have been established at both round-a-bouts.

Current air traffic movements or scheduled flights have been re-routed to other destinations until further notice.  Persons traveling today will have to check with their airline with respect to when they should travel to the airport in connection with their flight.

Information provided here was from the Police and sent via DCOMM.  Additional updates will be provided.

PHILIPSBURG – NV GEBE Supervisory Board of Directors Chairman Rene Richardson on Thursday afternoon sent out a press statement addressing a number of issues at NV GEBE.  The statement is as follows:

“On June 29, 2015 an article was published in the Daily Herald wherein Mr. Alfred Harley is quoted saying:

‘… the MPs should question how ‘one member of the Supervisory Board could receive $10,000 plus a stipend of $3,500 per month, while the whole board and the opposition bench in Parliament is ready to cripple a small local company providing work for local people.’

“The Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE wants to publicly state that this (political) statement by Mr. A. Harley is incorrect and a –deliberate- misrepresentation of the facts.

“The simple fact of the matter is that the monthly allowance for all Supervisory Board Directors is gross Naf 2750. - and the monthly allowance for the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors is gross Naf 3750.-. These are, since N.V. GEBE is a 100% government owned company, matters of national/public record.

“By law and as per the articles of incorporation of N.V. GEBE, the Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE is obliged to supervise and advise N.V. GEBE in a complete independent manner. Part of its tasks is ensure that Management abides to the statutory limit of Naf 50,000.- for entering into service level and other contracts on behalf of N.V. GEBE, with third parties.

“Fact of the matter is that this statutory condition was violated by Mr. R.A. Maduro, the previous Chief Operating Officer of N.V. GEBE, when entering into a service level agreement on behalf of N.V. GEBE with Sint Maarten Service Provider, the company represented by Mr. Alfred Harley.

“Fact of the matter is that the contractual limitation for the maximum monthly billable hours in the illegally contracted service level agreement with Sint Maarten Service Provider, represented by Mr. Alfred Harley, was also severely violated; instead of billing the contractual limit of 140 hours at $ 75.- per hour and thus a maximum amount of $ 10.500. – per month, for “services” rendered, Sint Maarten Service Provider invoiced N.V. GEBE in 4 months on average $ 42.000. -  per month, thus in total $ 168.000. -. This is 1680 billable hours more in 4 months, than allowed as per the nota bene illegally contracted service level agreement.

“Under the directorship of Mr. R.A. Maduro, N.V. GEBE made payments in excess of $ 168.000. - to Sint Maarten Service Provider in 4 months, every time –almost- immediately when an invoice was received of Sint Maarten Service Provider. The prevailing policies within N.V. GEBE stipulate that incoming invoices are all paid monthly, at the end of each month, thereby also allowing proper processing, scrutiny and control.

“Fact of the matter is that the Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE was never asked and – also as such - never agreed to any service level agreement between N.V. GEBE and Sint Maarten Service Provider, represented by Mr. Alfred Harley, or otherwise. Certainly not a service level agreement for a total monetary value of approximately $126.000.-, considering the maximum amount of US$ 10.500.- that could be billed every month by Sint Maarten Service Provider to N.V. GEBE for the total 12 month duration of this service level agreement. If the Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE had not stepped in, the total damages for N.V. GEBE, at the rate that things were going, could have easily have amounted to approximately $ 500.000.- in the 12 months for which the service level agreement with Sint Maarten Service Provider was illegally contracted.

“Fact of the matter is that Sint Maarten Service Provider and Mr. Alfred Harley never gave any reason and account to the Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE, pertaining to alleged services rendered to N.V. GEBE, or otherwise.

“Fact of the matter is that the Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE finds that there is a significant discrepancy between the paid invoices and magnitude of services that Mr. Alfred Harley and Mr. R.A. Maduro maintain that were rendered by Sint Maarten Service Provider to N.V. GEBE. Simply put: N.V. GEBE was severely overbilled by Sint Maarten Service Provider, to say this softly.

“The aforementioned discoveries constitute irregularities. The Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE is both legally and morally obliged to act decisively to stop and prevent possible reoccurrence thereof.

“The argument made by Mr. Alfred Harley that the Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE would be trying to “cripple a small local company providing work for local people” is a fallacy and intended to divert the attention from the real issues at hand, which are that:

1.       internal control (check and balances) procedures within N.V. GEBE to protect against misuse of company funds have been violated;

2.       exorbitant claims for payment of amounts that exceed even the limit mentioned in an illegally contracted service level agreement, were made by Sint Maarten Service Provider to N.V. GEBE, and directly paid by N.V. GEBE, as per mandates of Mr. R.A. Maduro;

3.       the amounts invoiced by Sint Maarten Service Provider are severely disproportionate to the services rendered.

“The Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE will continue to safeguard the best interest of N.V. GEBE and as such also it’s plus 250 local employees,” Rene Richardson, Chairman on behalf of the Supervisory Board of Directors of N.V. GEBE said in an extensive statement released to the media on Thursday.

PHILIPSBURG -From November 2015, Arke will operate two flights a week between Amsterdam and Sint Maarten using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. From today July 2, tickets for these flights can be booked not only via the Dutch-language arke.nl website, but also via travel agents on Sint Maarten and the Arke office on Curaçao. 

Arke Services

Arke offers an extensive service concept which allows passengers to book various extra services from three weeks up to 48 hours before departure. For instance, a seat, entertainment system or luggage allowance can be reserved in advance.

A single item of cabin luggage measuring 50x40x20 may be taken on board the flight free of charge. An additional luggage allowance can be booked for a small fee.

This has the advantage of passengers being able to determine themselves how much luggage they take on the outward and return journeys, e.g. 20kg to Amsterdam and 40kg on their return to Sint Maarten. An in-flight meal is included. Any extras, such as drinks and sandwiches, can be ordered and paid on board.

Flying in a Dreamliner

The flights between Amsterdam and Sint Maarten will be operated using the comfortable and innovative Dreamliner. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is lighter, quieter, more fuel-efficient, and above all, more comfortable than the current generation of passenger aircraft.

The Dreamliner is not only a pleasure to fly, but it is also less of a burden to the environment; the engines are 15% cleaner and produce 60% less noise than comparable aircraft. Moreover, it consumes 20% less fuel and therefore emits less CO₂ per passenger.  

Arkefly is TUI Nederland’s own airline and part of the extensive TUI international fleet. Arkefly’s Dutch fleet includes the Boeing 767-300, the 737-800 and the 787 Dreamliner. Arkefly flies to more than 55 holiday destinations on five continents. 

TUI Nederland operates under the brands Arke, Holland International and Kras, and with 1.5 million holidaymakers and a turnover of €1.8 billion in 2014, TUI Netherlands is the absolute market leader in the Netherlands. TUI Nederland is a subsidiary of the TUI Group, with more than 150 travel organisations and an international fleet of 140 aircraft in twenty countries that operate together under the umbrella of the World of TUI. TUI Nederland. More than a smile.