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Ashton Lake is expected to be released on parole this year after 38 years in prison. The man from Anguilla was sentenced to life in prison in 1984 for the murder of a 5-year-old girl in Sint Maarten. He was then 21 years old, Lake is now 59. The murder made headlines for the atrocities that preceded it. He kidnapped the girl on her birthday, raped her and threw her into the sea with a rock at her feet. He wanted to take revenge on her family
** CPS makes populace aware of legionnaire’s disease **
The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), has registered one case of legionnaires.
Legionnaire’s disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by legionella bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water or accidently swallow water containing legionella into the lungs.
Legionella bacteria can also cause less serious illness. Illness usually develops three to six days after infection but may take longer. The illness usually starts with a fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain. This is followed by a dry cough and breathing difficulties that may progress to severe pneumonia. About 30% of those infected will also have diarrhea or vomiting and about 50% become confused or delirious.
Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems like showerheads and sink faucets; Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air-cooling systems for buildings or industrial processes); Hot tubs; Decorative fountains and water features; Hot water tanks and heaters; and large, complex plumbing systems.
Home and car air-conditioning units do not use water to cool the air, so they are not a risk for legionella growth.
In general, people do not spread legionnaires’ disease to other people. Most healthy people exposed to legionella do not get sick. People at increased risk of getting sick are people 50 years or older; Current or former smokers; People with a chronic lung disease (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema); People with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy); People with cancer; and people with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure.
The key to preventing legionnaires’ disease is to reduce the risk of legionella growth and spread. Building owners and managers should have a risk analysis carried out and a legionnaires’ control plan in place that would facilitate the regular maintaining of building water systems and implementing controls for legionella.
If you require additional information about legionnaires’, you can contact CPS by calling 914.
** Immigration Department, KPSM and Customs Sint Maarten crack down on boardwalk barkers **
On January 27, 2022, the Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBP), the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) and Customs Sint Maarten carried out successful joint controls in the Philipsburg area together with the Coast Guard and the Inspectorates of TEATT and VSA. This collaboration was initiated by IBP as the department has been receiving numerous complaints about “barkers” harassing tourists. The areas controlled included the Boardwalk from Walter Plantz Square up until Green House Restaurant, Front Street and Back Street.
Barkers usually linger at the beach or stand outside of stores, bars, and restaurant businesses, to entice tourists with various types of offers in multiple languages. This activity is frowned upon by residents and the authorities and leaves tourists likely to walk away with an unfavorable impression of Philipsburg. The joint effort was also planned to execute overall controls for residence and work permits, illegal substances and business licenses.
During the controls, some stores were checked for their proper paperwork and several fines were issued. Though no arrests were made, a total of 20 persons were brought in for further investigations. Four persons were released after investigating; one Guyanese with valid paper for the Dutch side, two French who were handed over to the SPAF (French immigration), one Jamaican with French residency, and one Dominican who was a mental patient and was placed in her mother’s custody under meldplicht, and instructed to arrange her status for the country. The other 16 persons will remain in custody as they are currently facing deportation.
“The community on the Boardwalk praised the groups for their joint effort and welcome such actions on a more regular basis,” stated Customs Sint Maarten Management Team Member Franklin Bernadina.
“On behalf of IBP, I’d like to thank KPSM, Customs Sint Maarten, our Coast Guard as well as the Inspectorates of TEATT and VSA for their cooperation and positive contribution in carrying out this operation. Protecting the country’s image is a crucial task we remain committed to. For this reason, the controls will continue weekly until this inappropriate behavior is eliminated,” concluded IBP Division Head Ryan Peterson.
In a somewhat unprecedented move, Leader of the United Democrats (UD) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot Williams said on Wednesday in a press statement that three (3) opposition factions have called a joint press conference for Thursday, January 27th at 2 pm. The factions are Emmanuel, PFP and UD.
“It has been stated that these factions are totally upset by the arrogance of the government of Sint Maarten and its supporting factions in parliament. This is a new level of disregard for the minority in parliament.
“While the factions of Emmanuel, UD and PFP have voiced their discontent throughout the budgetary proceedings, their arguments fell on deaf ears and all kind of childish arguments continue to be thrown at the MPs who question this modus operandi of the coalition.
“It is beyond comprehension that not only was there no consideration for the arguments brought forward by the opposition members, but the warnings against passing the budget at this juncture from the legal sector were also callously brushed aside.
“The advice by the Council of Advice from December 2021 had the same observation. Without that written consent for deviation from the Kingdom Council of Ministers, only a balanced budget can be approved, unless we want to be in contravention.
“What do we see instead? Not only the unbalanced budget, presented by government, but amendments to the budget flying left and right.
“And when faced with the truth, what do we get? The old school intimation tactics: how will civil servants and others be paid, if we don’t approve the budget? Well, how were the civil servants paid in 2021, when the budget 2021 was only approved on July 1, 2021,” MP Wescot Williams said in her press statement on Wednesday.
“You would think that the wiser heads in the coalition would take the lead in this type of situations. But no, to the contrary. I guess, now that big egos have prevailed, the budget will be quietly held back until the opportune time, whenever that is. However, you turn or twist it, this budget saga is far from over,” stated MP Wescot-Williams.
On January 26, 2022, Customs organizations all over the world join in celebrating International Customs Day under the theme “Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience.” The Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson commemorated this day by inviting Customs St. Maarten to the Government Administration Building so that they could be duly celebrated as well.
“This is a special day where we celebrate and recognize the role of our customs officers and highlight the working conditions and challenges that they face on the job. On this memorable day, I thank all our customs officers for the work that they have been carrying out on behalf of the country and reiterate my commitment to the continual improvement of this department,” stated Minister Richardson.
During the ceremony, Minister Richardson took the opportunity to recognize some members of the customs team for their outstanding qualities, performance and commitment. Customs officer Gabriela Cathalina-Garcia, who recently joined the Customs Department, was recognized for her dedication, performance, and involvement in the PCS committee where she has proven herself to be a dedicated worker, also scoring the maximum on the “National Decree on the Import, Export and Transit” test.
Customs officer Isha Marlin-Brown, who has been working at the department since 2013, was recognized for the efficiency shown in her work. During the past three years, she has worked in a supervisory role where she has not only exceeded expectations as shift leader but also encourages her colleagues to be the best that they can be by remaining up to date on laws pertaining to customs.
Among the recipients recognized was customs officer Franklin Bernadina. Minister Richardson expressed her appreciation for the passion that officer Bernadina has and continues to display when it comes to the department. She stated, “Officer Bernadina is a leader at heart. He shows up to the call of duty and goes above and beyond to ensure the customs department is well-represented at any given moment. I am truly grateful for his attentiveness and dedication to the staff, the department, the wellness and growth of the Ministry and the overall country.”
“During today’s ceremony, I introduced the newly instated Management Team for the Customs Department consisting of Mr. A. Doran, Mr. F. Bernadina, Ms. J. La Paix and Mr. J.S.R. Romney. I remain faithful that this team will continue to enhance the department further and foster an environment in which all our customs officers are given the opportunity and resources to grow and excel, thereby ensuring the safety and security of our borders where the in and out-flow of goods are concerned. On behalf of the Government of St. Maarten, I hereby extend congratulations to our local customs officers, regionally and around the world,” concluded Minister Richardson.
THE HAGUE/PHILIPSBURG – Prosecutor Hieke Buist has been appointed as Sint Maarten’s new Chief Prosecutor as of January 1, 2022. The Kingdom Council of Ministers formalized her appointment in its meeting of Thursday, 13 December 2021. Buist was appointed on the recommendation of Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ferdinand Grapperhaus and St. Maarten Minister of Justice Anna Richardson. Buist will succeed current Chief Prosecutor Mirjam Mol who has completed her three-year term as chief prosecutor. Mol remains within the Prosecutor’s Office for the customary transition period. Currently, Buist (45) is the prosecutor and team leader in Zwolle, the Netherlands. She has is experienced prosecuting cases related to human trafficking and human smuggling, corruption, and investigations into narcotics among other areas.
