PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The 2024 Holiday Season is upon us, and shoppers are busy buying Christmas trees and lights to adorn their homes this holiday season. With less than 23 days before Christmas Eve, families are bustling around to put everything in place.

Parents and family members should keep in mind some holiday safety tips when it concerns decorations and the Christmas tree. The season is all about family togetherness, and we would like everyone to have a safe holiday season incident-free.

Every year, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department that falls under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, as part of its calendar of observances, highlights and creates awareness where it concerns holiday safety.

Check out this list of holiday season safety tips:

Trees:
• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green; needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Check regularly to avoid mosquito breeding. Place the tree out of the way of foot traffic and do not block doorways or exits.
Lights:
• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights - they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.
• Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.
Decorations:
• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair."
• Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Last week, representatives from the unions of Sint Maarten met with the Council of Ministers in an introductory session. The meeting served as a platform for open dialogue between union leaders and the recently sworn-in ministers, including Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor Richenel S.J. Brug, and Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs. The session underscored the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration with unions to address the needs of workers and the community.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of unity and constructive dialogue, "Our unions represent the strength and resilience of Sint Maarten’s workforce, and their voices are essential in shaping the policies that will guide our nation forward. This government is here to listen, engage, and, most importantly, act in the best interest of the people. Together, we will address challenges head-on and build a future that prioritizes equity and opportunity for all."

PM Dr. Mercelina also highlighted the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity, stating:
"This meeting is not a one-time event—it is the start of a consistent, open dialogue. Our administration is dedicated to ensuring that the concerns of workers are not only heard but reflected in our actions. The success of Sint Maarten lies in its people, and we are ready to work hand in hand with our unions to secure a brighter tomorrow."

Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs echoed, "Our workforce drives the success of our economy, and their well-being is non-negotiable. As Minister of Finance, I am committed to implementing policies that ensure wage equity, access to opportunities, and financial stability for all. We must create an economic environment where workers feel valued and secure in their futures," Minister Gumbs stated.

Minister Gumbs further stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility in achieving these goals, "While we navigate our financial challenges, we remain steadfast in our mission to balance economic stability with the needs of our people. Together, with the input of unions, we can shape policies that deliver sustainable progress and uplift our workforce."

Union leaders raised key issues which the Council of Ministers pledged to address through collaborative efforts.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining open communication and scheduling regular follow-up meetings to translate discussions into actionable outcomes.
This meeting signifies a renewed partnership between the government and unions, reflecting the Council of Ministers’ dedication to inclusivity and progress for the benefit of all Sint Maarteners.

~Pilot supports vocational skills.~

PHILIPSBURG – The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) is proud to announce its collaboration with the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) to offer students from the Property Management program practical experience through internships. This groundbreaking partnership began in July 2024, led by VROMI Cabinet chief of staff Mr. Luciano Nicholls, following discussions with members from the relevant department. The project represents a significant step in bridging the gap between education and employment opportunities.
The partnership comes at a critical time as VROMI addresses the challenge of capacity and an aging workforce. By welcoming NIPA students specializing in Welding, Carpentry, and Automotive Maintenance, the Ministry is investing in the next generation of skilled professionals while ensuring that its operations remain efficient and innovative.
In November, six motivated students joined VROMI for hands-on internships. They will work with the Ministry two days a week during the current term and transition to a three-day schedule in the upcoming school term. This cohort is the first group of NIPA students to participate in this collaborative initiative, and their internship will continue until approximately June 2025.
“This collaboration is a testament to VROMI’s commitment to fostering education and providing opportunities for our young people,” said the Honorable Minister Patrice Gumbs. “The experience gained here will help the students transition seamlessly into the workforce, and we are optimistic about hiring some of these talented individuals upon graduation.”
The program is mutually beneficial and falls in line with NIPA’s school model, where students gain invaluable real-world experience while VROMI benefits from the energy and innovation of the students. Andrea Paul, the NIPA coordinator, has been instrumental in ensuring the program’s success, fostering strong communication between the institution and the Ministry.

“This initiative is about more than internships,” Gumbs added.

Job Coach Coordinator at NIPA, Ms. Andrea Paul, stated that this initiative is about investing in Sint Maarten’s future. We are equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed.”
As the partnership continues to grow, the Ministry remains focused on creating pathways for students to secure employment, ultimately helping to build a skilled workforce that benefits the entire community.
The Ministry of VROMI thanks NIPA for its collaboration and trust and looks forward to seeing this program thrive in the years to come.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As NV GEBE is continually advancing the company's plans for reliable energy supply on behalf of the community of St. Maarten, several developments have also been made with the full restoration of it’s commercial systems. This includes the ongoing efforts towards the full restoration of consumer billing/invoicing services.
As part of our ongoing efforts to modernize and safeguard the island's power infrastructure, we are introducing Power Load Limiting technology. This measure is designed to improve grid stability, promote fairness in electricity usage, and enhance safety for our customers and the wider community. This functionality is designed to enhance service management and provide better energy usage monitoring. The new Load-limiting program will be implemented across all commercial and residential accounts and will start immediately.
Power Load Limiting is an advanced system programmed into your electricity meter to cap electricity usage at the kVA (kilovolt-amperes) capacity initially paid for during your property’s connection to the grid. The kVA allocation is determined based on inspections by the Ministry of VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure) and reflects the load capacity approved at that time.
The Load Limiting services allow the electrical meter to restrict the amount of electricity available to the consumer’s property if the account remains unpaid after the invoice due date. This means that while some essential devices may still function, the customer’s overall electrical supply will be reduced. This feature will automatically activate on the Invoice Due Date if payment is not made.
Pre-Payment Stage: Please note that if payment is not received within 5 days after the load limiting period begins, a full disconnection of service will follow. Post-Payment Stage: Upon payment, the client will have their energy load fully restored to its original capacity (full load or reconnection). To avoid any inconvenience, NV GEBE strongly encourages customers to make payments on or before the due date stated on their utility bills.
"With Load Limiting, we aim to provide both a financial and operational advantage for our clients. This system supports better energy usage control and also helps customers remain current with up to date payments of their energy bills, fostering a more sustainable relationship with power consumption," said Ing. Patrick Drijvers, Distribution Manager. Ing. Patrick Drivers added that this initiative comes as part of our ongoing efforts to optimize energy distribution and offer clients more flexibility in managing their energy costs. By implementing Load Limiting, we also aim to promote timely payments, reduce unnecessary energy waste, and support clients in improving their overall energy management.”
“The implementation of load limiting is a significant milestone for NV GEBE, showcasing our commitment to improving energy management and service reliability," stated Mr. Troy Washington, Temporary Manager of NV GEBE. "This initiative reflects the hard work and innovation of our Distribution and Commercial team, and we are confident it will benefit both our customers, the community and the company as a whole.
We understand that changes in service delivery may raise concerns, but it is important to note that Load limiting is not unique to St. Maarten, On the northern side of the island, EDF, our sister utility company, has already implemented this same initiative. NV GEBE remains dedicated to supporting our community and invites customers to reach out with any questions and concerns about load limiting. Our customer care team is ready to provide detailed information and assist in understanding how this system benefits us all.