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Government and Politics
When (lime) Green Means A Healthy Sustainable Environment
Everybody knows about the new political thrill. Right?
And aren’t we all DYING to finally see its’ manifesto?
Unfortunately it is yet to make a grand entrée. The bore of waiting and considering the fact that its’ figurehead has never made the slightest greenwashed impression on me, have induced me to extend a helping hand (shown kindness may be applauded here).
No ID
Hey, I know this is a small story amongst many other bigger ones going on, but I'd like to say something about it because I feel it's just another reflection of how dysfunctional SXM's government departments are.
In June last year the Census office announced that yet again, the one and only machine they have for making ID cards was out of service. In August they told us that the problem was the software and it was being upgraded. In March this year it was finally working again. And now, again, it is not.
Will be another 10 months before it is working again? Does it need replacing completely or perhaps another purchased as a standby? And are those using it actually trained in it's operation and care? Will those with expired cards be given a break from police or immigration, or will they have to spend nights in a police cell while their renewal status is investigated? Will the census office offer letters to those with expired card or those waiting so they can avoid that horrible possibility?
Councilman Roy Marlin Says he is Flabbergasted with Leader of Government Statements.
SMNN -
Philipsburg:----Flabbergasted was the reaction of Island Councilman Roy Marlin on the statement made by the leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin on the matter of the Democratic Party faction in the Island Council asking questions. The Commissioner when in opposition lived by the motto the people have a right to know. Or do the people only have a right to know when the National Alliance is in opposition and when they are in government then the people have no rights. On the matter of the cooperation kingdom law that was discussed in the central committee meeting of Thursday, several administrative areas will require a plan of approach after 10/10/10. [More....]
Electricity ordinance approved, GEBE concession should follow
PHILIPSBURG--The Governor of the Netherlands Antilles has approved the Island Ordinance on Electricity, paving the way for GEBE to obtain its concession from the Island Government. GEBE's annual concession will be set at NAf. 5 million. Commissioner in charge of public utilities Theo Heyliger confirmed the approval Thursday and said the ordinance should be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Central Committee, hopefully next week. Once the ordinance is approved, he said, the concession should follow fairly quickly.[More....]
Amount projected from back taxes not collectable
The Daily Herald - ~ Exco reportedly had faulty figures ~
PHILIPSBURG--The NAf. 24.3 million projected by the Executive Council to fill the deficit in the 2010 budget through the collection of back taxes is not collectable.
The Daily Herald has learned that Commissioner of Finance Xavier Blackman has reports indicating that only NAf. 2.5 million can be collected for the period 2004-2007. The Commissioner had indicated that NAf. 14.4 million could be collected this year. Also, only NAf. 90,000 can be collected from 2008, not NAf. 4 million as was mentioned by the commissioner.
Govt to seek Dutch help to set up Audit Chamber
The Daily Herald - PHILIPSBURG--The General Audit Chamber is one of the key institutions that have to be in place for country St. Maarten, scheduled to be born on October 10.
The National Alliance (NA)-led government continues to seek support from the Dutch with setting up some vital institutions. Government has maintained since taking office in June 2009 that, unlike Curaçao, St. Maarten will need all the help it can get. Curaçao will inherit much of the Central Government framework and infrastructure, while St. Maarten has to build its own from scratch.
Oil slick origin still a mystery
The Daily Herald - PHILIPSBURG--The Island Government has not been able to determine the source of the waste oil that spilled or was dumped in the Great Salt Pond in the vicinity of the A.Th. Illidge Road roundabout.
Commissioner of Public Works Theo Heyliger had the area cleaned last week, but officials from his office said yesterday that investigations into the source had proven futile.
Monitoring committee to oversee tasks, plan
PHILIPSBURG--A committee that will include a St. Maarten Government minister and the Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations (currently Ank Bijleveld-Schouten) will monitor tasks St. Maarten cannot perform fully when it becomes a country. This committee will also ensure that plans of approach formulated by St. Maarten to improve areas such as Justice and Finance are carried out. The monitoring committee will be in place for two years, with an extension of two more years if this becomes necessary.[More....]
Detectives on Go Slow --- Offers No Service to Community.
SMNN - Philipsburg:--- Members of the Police Department namely detective, forensic, the armed robbery team and the special team investigating the murder cases on St. Maarten are on go-slow. Several persons informed SMN News that they have been trying to get assistance from the police force on Wednesday but no one is helping them. Already the prosecutor's office it is understood ordered the forensic department not to take evidence from homes or businesses that were robbed because the department is grossly understaffed. SMN News further learnt that the forensic department only has one person working in it and that person was told they should only process murder scenes.
