PHILIPSBURG:---Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP), in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), is proud to host an Advanced Drone Training from May 18 to May 20 at the Fire Department Sint Maarten for members of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Support Function (ESF) groups directly involved in disaster response and recovery operations.

This exclusive training serves as a follow-up to the highly successful and well-attended drone training organized in 2025. The previous session was very positively received by participants, particularly by members of the emergency services, several of whom have since acquired their own drones and are now actively utilizing them for specialized operational missions.

The upcoming training will combine both theoretical and practical components, focusing on important regulatory matters such as aviation rules, operational guidelines, safety protocols, and responsible drone usage, while also providing participants with hands-on practical exercises and simulated special mission scenarios.

The objective of the initiative is to ensure that Sint Maarten continues to develop and maintain a sufficient number of certified drone operators capable of supporting critical disaster recovery and emergency management operations. These operations include, but are not limited to, search and rescue missions, payload delivery, structural and building assessments, emergency mapping, and security surveillance during and after disasters.

Judianne Hoeve, Director of BTP, emphasized the importance of continued investment in innovation and disaster preparedness: “Drone technology continues to prove itself as an invaluable tool during emergencies and disaster recovery efforts. By investing in advanced training and certification of local operators, Sint Maarten is strengthening its national resilience and improving its ability to respond quickly, safely, and effectively during times of crisis.”

BTP would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to Fire Chief & National Disaster Coordinator Mr. Clive Richardson and the Office of Disaster Management, represented by Ms. Iesha Harrigan, for once again hosting the training group and making the training facilities available for this important initiative. The collaboration between BTP, ODM, emergency services, and regional drone professionals demonstrates Sint Maarten’s ongoing commitment to innovation, preparedness, and public safety.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) is proud to announce the launch of its refreshed website experience, introducing a more modern, user-friendly, and visually appealing digital platform for passengers, visitors, and stakeholders worldwide.

Designed with today’s traveler in mind, the refreshed website offers improved navigation, updated content, and enhanced visuals that better reflect the airport’s role as the gateway to the Caribbean. Under PJIAE’s marketing tagline, “Surrounded by Water. Connected by Air,” the updated platform further strengthens the airport’s commitment to connectivity, accessibility, and enhancing the overall passenger experience both online and at the airport itself.

The refreshed website introduces several new features and improvements, including:
• A dedicated airline page with direct airline contact information
• An overview of surrounding islands accessible through Sint Maarten
• A “Before You Fly” section to help passengers prepare for arrival and departure
• An updated careers page showcasing available opportunities within PJIAE
• A full overview of concessionaires available throughout the airport
• Direct links in the footer to both the Dutch and French-side tourism offices
• A new digital sponsorship request feature
• A dedicated section for airport events, updates, and announcements

In addition, the website will serve as PJIAE’s official digital communication platform. From now on, all official press releases, public statements, updates, and announcements issued by the airport will be published directly on the website, providing the public and media with a reliable and centralized source for official information.

Corporate Communications Officer Cassie Schoutens expressed her excitement regarding the launch. "I am very happy and proud to see the launch of our refreshed website experience. Behind the scenes, I worked closely together with Andrei Rochester and our website developers to ensure that both the content and visuals reflect the experience and vision of PJIAE. We look forward to continuing to improve and expand our digital presence moving forward," said Schoutens.

The refreshed website can be visited at: www.sxmairport.com

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Justice wishes to inform the public that an incident involving two inmates occurred earlier today at Point Blanche Prison.
Preliminary reports indicate that the matter was an isolated altercation between the inmates. Prison personnel responded swiftly and successfully brought the situation under control. No prison staff members were injured during the incident.
Initial findings suggest the altercation stemmed from tensions related to an ongoing criminal matter involving the individuals. During the incident, one inmate sustained stab wounds and was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The inmate remains hospitalized for continued care and observation.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ministry of Justice continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide additional updates as necessary.

PHILIPSBURG:--- MP York has written to the Minister of Finance outlining a series of operational and administrative concerns at the Tax Department that have been building since mid-2025 and now risk serious consequences for both staff and the taxpaying public. From a prolonged leadership vacuum to data errors affecting individual tax assessments, the picture that emerges is one of a department under significant strain.

It is worth noting that challenges within the Tax Department did not emerge overnight. However, the situation appears to have deepened considerably since mid-2025, suggesting that what may have once been manageable has since crossed into territory that can no longer be overlooked. The most pressing concern is the absence of a permanent head since July 2025. Without stable leadership, oversight, and coordinated decision-making have suffered, and the effects are felt across daily operations.

Staffing challenges compound the problem. The Audit Department operates with only three auditors, raising serious questions about its capacity to fulfill its responsibilities. Productivity has reportedly fallen below expected levels across the board, despite departments appearing sufficiently staffed on paper. The situation worsened when temporary workers were sent home due to budget constraints, leaving permanent staff to absorb that workload on top of their own, with no internal vacancies posted to offer any relief.

The consequences for taxpayers are tangible and in some cases deeply troubling. Inconsistent and inaccurate information is being relayed to the public, the result of decisions made without consistent adherence to established laws and regulations. More seriously, discrepancies involving CRIB numbers have led to incorrect assessments being issued. In certain instances, individuals with similar names have been wrongly merged into a single record, leaving taxpayers facing inflated or entirely unwarranted bills. These are not minor oversights. They carry real financial and legal consequences.

MP York's letter calls on the Minister to initiate a thorough review covering the leadership gap, staffing shortfalls, communication breakdowns, and data integrity failures. The correspondence is not an accusation directed at the Minister, but rather an appeal rooted in concern for the department and the people who depend on it, an acknowledgment that staff are navigating these conditions under circumstances largely beyond their control, and that meaningful change must come from leadership, not from those already carrying more than their share.

A response from the Ministry of Finance is anticipated. What that response looks like in practice will be the true measure of whether the department and the people holding it together will finally get the support they deserve.