Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion countersues Attorney Bloem.
PHILIPSBURG:---A high-profile legal dispute between Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion and Attorney Jairo Bloem is set to take center stage in court this week. The case stems from a heated exchange of allegations and counterclaims regarding public statements made by both parties in recent days.
Attorney Jairo Bloem has filed an injunction against MP Ardwell Irion, accusing him of making defamatory remarks about his professional record and suitability for the position of Chairperson of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Bloem claims that Irion’s statements, published in The People’s Tribune and reiterated on the Lady Grace Radio program, were factually incorrect and damaging to his reputation. He is demanding a public retraction and apology from Irion, as well as assurances that such statements will not be repeated.
In response, MP Irion has rejected Bloem’s allegations, defending his remarks as part of his constitutional role in scrutinizing government conduct. Irion maintains that his statements were made in good faith during a public debate of significant societal importance and were neither defamatory nor unlawful. Furthermore, Irion has announced his intention to counter-sue Bloem for libel, citing what he describes as factually incorrect and professionally improper statements made by Bloem during the Lady Grace program.
The legal proceedings are scheduled to begin on Thursday at 3:00 PM, when the court will hear Bloem’s injunction against Irion. The case has garnered significant public attention, as it addresses issues of governance, accountability, and the boundaries of public discourse in matters of societal importance.
As the legal battle unfolds, both parties remain steadfast in their positions, with potential implications for their reputations and the broader public debate surrounding the Central Bank nomination process. The court’s decision is highly anticipated and could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled in the future.
In the meantime, Bloem has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of chair of the Central Bank Supervisory Board.
ST. MAARTEN:--- The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the island as Tropical Storm Jerry continues its westward track across the Atlantic. Residents are advised to stay alert and begin necessary preparations for potential impacts later this week.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Social Development, within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA), successfully hosted the Ageing with Dignity Conference on September 29 and 30, 2025, under the theme “Ageing with Dignity: Building a Sustainable Future for Seniors on Sint Maarten.” The two-day event, held at the Simpson Bay Resort Conference Room, was moderated by Ms. Mahkicia Brooks & Rolando Tobias and brought together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders dedicated to advancing the well-being of the island’s elderly population. Participants included decision-makers, policy workers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), community-based groups, senior activity groups, pensioners’ associations, the Social Insurance Bank (SZV), the Civil Servants Pension Fund (APS), and other partners engaged in social development and senior care. The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Celine Carty, a Social Worker in the field of Gerontology who presented three case studies of Caribbean women who, despite significant challenges, managed to build resilience and resources that contributed to positive ageing experiences. Ms. Carty highlighted the importance of integrating dignity, respect, and sustainability into all policies and practices affecting the elderly, reminding participants that “ageing is a spectrum of experiences, not a uniform decline.” Throughout the two-day conference, participants engaged in a series of presentations and interactive sessions that addressed key areas such as ageing trends on Sint Maarten, financial security, estate planning, education, and lifelong learning. Dr. Ayanna Alexander, representing the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), presented the findings of a comprehensive Baseline Study on Ageing. She also facilitated a validation and roadmap session aimed at shaping future strategies for senior care and support. The Baseline Study revealed several promising practices already in place and identified 11 key action areas, each accompanied by targeted recommendations. These findings will serve as a foundation for the development of a national roadmap to promote ageing with dignity and sustainability on Sint Maarten. Breakout sessions, panel discussions, and workshops explored critical themes including: MINISTRY PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT & LABOR - - - - - - healthcare and wellbeing, social inclusion, intergenerational connectivity, financial preparedness, lifelong learning, the development of age-friendly infrastructure and accessibility. These discussions fostered new partnerships and identified actionable strategies to strengthen the island’s support systems for seniors. As main outcomes of the conference, the Department of Social Development announced: - - plans to continue their collaboration with PAHO to develop an Ageing Vision and Roadmap for Sint Maarten, initiate the process to re-establish the Council for the Elderly—a key step in ensuring the voices and needs of seniors is represented in national policy. The Department expressed sincere gratitude to all participants, stakeholders, moderators, note takers and working group members whose dedication and contributions made the conference a success. The insights and recommendations gathered will guide future policies and community based initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive, age-friendly Sint Maarten where all citizens can age with dignity.
CAY HILL:--- On Saturday, October 25th, 2025, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) will host its annual breast cancer screenings in collaboration with the Positive Foundation and the Elektralytes Foundation. From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, attendees have the opportunity to receive free clinical breast exams conducted by SMMC’s medical specialists and local General Practitioners.
To avoid long lines, pre-registering for breast cancer screening is strongly encouraged. Women over the age of 20 are asked to email 
