### Monday May 13, 2008 ###
Dutch party will not support
promised debt cancellation
PHILIPSBURG--There should be more solidarity between the rich and the poor in the Netherlands Antilles. Spokesman on Antillean Affairs for the Dutch Socialist Party (SP) wrote in his column on the Website SP International that his party would not support the debt cancellation the Dutch government had promised the Netherlands Antilles if the gap between rich and poor was not bridged.
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More preventive care can lower
health care cost, says ODEAN
PHILIPSBURG--The cost of health care can be lowered if more is done in the area of primary preventive care, says President of the local chapter of the Nursing Organisation of the Netherlands Antilles ODEAN Mavis Rombley.
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New mediator expected to
be appointed in September
WILLEMSTAD--St. Maarten will soon have an extraordinary mediator to deal with tense labour matters on the island. It is hoped that the new mediator will be appointed in September.
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GEBE online utility bills
service grows in popularity
PHILIPSBURG--The online billing service of utility services GEBE has grown in popularity among subscribers since its soft launch in October 2007.
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French, Dutch Fire Departments
discuss cooperation disaster relief
PHILIPSBURG--Representatives of the Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin Fire Departments discussed better cooperation in disaster management protocol last week in line with a 2006 accord to foster mutual assistance, the Government Information Service (GIS) reported Sunday.
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Advice requested on organisation
to finalise dismantling of Antilles
PHILIPSBURG--State Secretary Ank Bijleveld-Schouten has asked the Council of State for advice on the possibilities of establishing an umbrella organisation to deal with dismantling the Netherlands Antilles once the islands have attained their new status.
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Police interim coach
arrives in St. Maarten
PHILIPSBURG--Interim Coach for the Police Force of St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba Ronald Dongor arrived in St. Maarten on Sunday. He was accompanied by Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Mavis Brooks-Salmon.
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Five afternoon break-ins
have police on the alert
PHILIPSBURG--Police are paying close attention to what could be a new trend in burglaries after five mid-afternoon break-ins over the weekend that hint at a possible new approach for burglars on the island.
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CLA signed for
airport workers
AIRPORT--After an intense negotiating process, the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company PJIAE management and civil servants union ABVO signed a new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) for the next three years.
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‘Hakuna Matata’ launch
happy, festive occasion
PHILIPSBURG--True to the title, the launching of Gerard van Veen’s Hakuna Matata & Other Travel Stories at Philipsburg Jubilee Library on Saturday evening was a happy and festive occasion.
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Tzu Chi celebrates Mothers Day,
Buddha’s Day, 42nd Tzu Chi Day
PHILIPSBURG--The Tzu Chi Foundation of St. Maarten celebrated Mothers Day, Buddha’s (Teacher) Day and the 42nd Anniversary of Tzu Chi day with a reflection ceremony of the events last night in the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre.
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