No replacement
yet for Haynes
~ CEO seat still empty ~
PHILIPSBURG--Discussions are still taking place pertaining to the replacement of Curtis Haynes who has resigned as head of international carrier SMITCOMS with effect from October 1.
Talks are also still ongoing in relation to the appointment of a candidate for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Board of the St. Maarten Telecommunications Holding Company NV.
Health Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus, who acknowledged that talks are still ongoing in relation to filling these two posts, said she will be seeking cooperation and expertise from the Netherlands for the island telecommunications industry during her trip to the Netherlands later this month during which time she is expected to sign a health care protocol with the city of Amsterdam.
The Commissioner said the signing of a protocol of cooperation recently between Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen and Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards “opens” the door for cooperation in various areas including in the area of telecommunications between Amsterdam and St. Maarten.
“I will investigate and talk to persons… who can be of assistance to us with respect to the further development and the challenges we are facing with our telecommunications companies here,” Buncamper-Molanus told reporters in response to questions during Wednesday’s Executive Council press briefing.
“The discussions will (be in line with) the responsibility that St. Maarten has to take over (in the area of telecommunications) because it’s all brand new for us so we also will be seeking assistance in terms of expertise, legislation and setting up the regulatory entities.”
She said a draft legislation to regulate the telecommunications industry for Country St. Maarten is already in. She said too that St. Maarten will be represented at a telecommunications symposium in The Hague and filling the CEO post for St. Maarten Telecommunications Holding Company will be explored.
Haynes and Attorney at Law Peggy Ann-Brandon resigned from the Board recently. Brandon’s term on the board would have expired later this year, but for personal reasons she opted to end her contract earlier.
Since Wanouki Hodge resigned as of January 1 there are now two positions on the Board to be filled, as well.
Former Commissioner of Telecommunications Franklin Meyers had reportedly opted not to fill Hodge’s position leaving that as a task for the incoming Commissioner, who is Buncamper-Molanus.
