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Legal Affairs Investigating ROB Inspector and Blue Blood---Seen at Questionable House in Cul de Sac.
SMNN - Philipsburg: --- The island government and the department of Legal Affairs are currently investigating an inspector of ROB (Public Works) who allegedly tried to extort monies from Blue Marine. According to reliable sources, the ROB inspector and his girl friend are owners of Blue Blood Construction tried to extort $42,000 from Blue Marine, a company that belongs to Saro Spadaro. SMN News learnt that the inspector committed his act since July 2009 and to date no actions has been taken.
The source said the inspector sent his girlfriend (another civil servant) with an invoice in the name of Blue Blood to Blue Marine for $42, 000 even though Blue Blood did not conduct any work for Blue Marine. It is further understood that when Blue Marine questioned the invoice they were told that they should pay the invoice if they wanted to get their inspection approved on the buildings that were constructed at Pointe Pirouette.
Blackman Escapes Vote of No Confidence for Lack Quorum--- Budget Issues Still Pending
SMNN - Philipsburg: --- Commissioner Xavier Blackman narrowly escaped a motion of no confidence which was to be presented by Island Councilman Petrus Leroy De Weever had the island council meeting convened on Thursday.
The Democratic Party Faction of the island council called an island council meeting on Thursday to discuss the pending 2010 budget and labor related matters, however the meeting could not be convened because the Democratic Party did not have a quorum even though Commissioner Theo Heyliger signed in for the meeting giving them five of the eleven signatures.
COMMISSIONER FRANS RICHARDSON: THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS FOR ME.
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GREAT BAY:--- "It is sad, very sad, that some people would deliberately take a decision of government meant for the good for our youth and create a big controversy from it about the separation of church and state." These were the initial comments of Commissioner Frans Richardson regarding the ongoing debate about remarks he made at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Methodist Church building in Belvedere last Saturday. He reiterated that the decision of the Executive Council, taken unanimously, to assist the Methodist community in the construction of a new chapel in the Belvedere area to serve Dutch Quarter, Middle Region and environs, was meant as compensation for an oversight of government.[More....]
Justice Minister and Unions Held Information Session.
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Philipsburg: --- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, and Junior Minister Ernie Simmons attended information session, which was given to several police officers on Wednesday. The Police Union NABP organized the information session, which was provided by Geomally Martes Director of the SOAB of the Netherlands Antilles. Officers of the KPSSS are very concerned about the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said she understands the concerns of the Federal Government Civil Servants and as such, the information sessions are needed to bring the workers up to speed with the process.[More....]
A MEETING CALLED TO GET CLARITY FROM GOVERNMENT ON ITS POLICY REGARDING SUBSIDIES TO INSTITUTIONS TURNED INTO A BIG JOKE.
SMNN - Philipsburg:---The Central Committee meeting was requested by the Democratic Party to hear from the Executive Council regarding its position on (incidental) subsidies/investments. The granting of subsidies by government is regulated by the Subsidy Ordinance St. Maarten and the subsidizing of religious institutions regulated by the State Regulation (Staatsregeling).
This meeting was requested by the DP, considering the public spat between government and organizations such as the Carnival Foundation and the Heineken Regatta Organizers. In answering the Democratic Party Faction's questions on the budget, the government had also informed the Island Council that for the information requested on the subsidy to the Foundation for Government Buildings, the Island Council(!) should contact the Foundation's president, Mr. Kurt Ruan. Now imagine that.
Meeting on subsidies discribed as a joke by DP Leader
SMNN - PHILIPSBURG - Wednesday's meeting of the Central Committee of St. Maarten, did not go as was planned by the Democratic Party (DP) of St. Maarten.
In a press release that was issued on Wednesday after the meeting, the leader of the (DP) Council Woman Sarah Wescot-Williams stated that the meeting that was requested by the Democratic Party to hear from the Executive Council regarding its position on (incidental) subsidies/investments turned out to be a joke.
Justice Minister discusses immigration controls
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PHILIPSBURG - During a marathon meeting on March 9th, the Minister of Justice discussed different issues with the interim chief of police. Among other things that were discussed included individual cases of selected police officers, controls that need to take place of illegal immigrants, construction of the new cells at the police station, the recruitment process for new personnel and training to upgrade the police officers.[More....]
COM Aborted Road Tax for New Vehicle tax System --- No Information says Gumbs.
SMNN - Marigot: --- President of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs is once again sounding the alarm about the possible road tax. Gumbs in an exclusive interview with SMN News said that while the window that is supposed to be collecting the road tax is closed since October 2009 to date the Collectivity and its representatives has not seen it fit to update its population on the reason why they stopped collecting the tax which is supposed to be used for road developments.
Registration of 4 to 9 year old children.
SMNN - The Department of Education hereby informs all parents that the second phase of the implementation of compulsory education continues from March 8 through March 12, 2010 with the registration of children between the ages of 4 and 9. This registration is important in order to get an accurate picture of the number of children whose status is not regulated (the undocumented) that need to be placed within the school system for the upcoming school year.
Police Union Advised Minister Not To Extend Contracts of Pensioners.
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Philipsburg: --- The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba was advised by the Police Unions not to grant any contracts to officers who are scheduled to leave on pension. SMN News has been reliably informed that at least six officers, two of which are from the management team of the police force are scheduled to go on pension. The source said even though the police force on St. Maarten is grossly understaffed it is the opinion of the police union that officers currently in the force can do a better job than those in management and those officers should receive the necessary promotions to lead the police force.[More....]
