Official Website of Governor of the Island Territory of St. Maarten Circa 2005-2009
Content form the site's 2005 - 2009 archived pages.
You could use this site to find recent news and pictures of the Governor's working visits, to read the speeches of the Governor, to gain knowledge about the Governor and the Cabinet of the governor and for information regarding various consular products.
The current website for the Governor of Sint Maarten is at: http://www.kabgsxm.com/default.aspx?
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Related: Just like most countries, the island territory of St. Maarten was impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. During the 2020 Remembrance Day commemoration speech, the current Governor, Eugene Bernard Holiday remarked:
Today May 4, 2020 we observed 2 minutes of silence in remembrance of the men and women who gave their lives in the fight to protect our democracy and freedom during War and peace keeping missions. Our yearly commemoration is our display of our appreciation for their sacrifices. And this year it takes on even greater significance against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s commemoration comes at a time when our generation is called upon to help fight the global war against COVID-19. A war that has disrupted our lives and way of living in so many ways. Today many among us are suffering with the corona virus and several families have lost a grandparent, a parent, a brother, a sister or a friend. In our effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 many among us are faced with the consequences of losing jobs or pay-cuts as businesses experience financial fallout. Marie Louise and I pray for everyone who are suffering as a result of the corona virus. And our hearts and sympathy go out to the families who have lost loved ones and friends.
As we take on this unprecedented public health and socio-economic challenge, we can draw inspiration from the courage of the men and women we honor on this Remembrance Day. We can, moreover, draw strength from our courageous men and women out there risking their own health to keep us safe and to provide for our essential needs. Everyday our health care professionals, our law enforcement officers, our grocery workers and other frontline employees remind us that our wellbeing and our country is worth fighting for. And as they do so, I express my deepest gratitude for their commitment, and I pray that God will keep them safe.
Although many of my family still live on St. Maarten, I moved to New York City to go to college at Columbia University in 2010 and then chose remain after graduation. I returned to St. Maarten in 2017 to help my family rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Irma. I also return each year for the annual St. Maarten Carnival, except for 2020. Instead on April 16, 2020 which would have been the opening of the 51st edition of St. Maarten Carnival it was postponed until April 2021. I wasn't surprised when my mother tweeted me: The SCDF just informed the general public that the Government of St. Maarten has decided to postpone Carnival 2020 in response to the rapid spreading of the COVID-19 Pandemic..
I wouldn't have even conceived of going considering that NYC was in the midst of being overwhelmed by the first surge of Covid 19. Long lines at the Trader Joe's grocery store here on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, wearing masks, social distancing, the wail of ambulances all day, the cheering and clapping honoring our front line medical workers every night at 7:00PM were part of my 2020 Spring. Fortunately, I was able to continue my work as a web designer during that challenging spring of 2020. I didn't lose any clients, but we were all holding our breath to see what would happen. NYC made it through that difficult period, and the city is now open and bustling. In fact, I've even gained two new clients recently. One of them is a jewelry company specializing in exquisite sterling silver rings. Their craftsmanship is highly regarded, and they have a fantastic collection of jewelry that you can explore at SterlingForever.com. I'm excited to work with them on enhancing their online presence and helping them connect with jewelry enthusiasts. The other client operates an online store selling customized sun bonnets, which will be perfect for when Covid restrictions are fully lifted. It's great to see businesses adapting and thriving despite the challenges we've faced.
With several vaccines being rolled out over the next couple of months, the folks on St. Maarten are expressing hope that the 2021 St. Maarten Carnival will be able to take place. I think that they are being a bit overly optimistic. However, I would love to attend, but that really depends upon the vaccine and whether the pandemic is under control.
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Circa 2005 -2009
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About F.E. Richards - Governor of St. Maarten
Franklyn E. Richards, born 1950, obtained his MULO diploma at the John Philips School in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. He obtained his degree in Government Finances at the Academy of Executive Affairs in Tilburg, The Netherlands, his bachelor degree in economics at the Academy of Economics (HEAO) in The Hague, The Netherlands, and his law degree at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
He served as head of the Finance Department of the Government of the Island Territory of Sint Maarten, from 1972 through 1979.
He accepted an official post with the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations in the Netherlands in 1980 until October 1992.
In 1992, he accepted the position of technical assistant and became the first Dutch Antillean to return to Sint Maarten in that capacity with the duties as an administrative lawyer in service of the Executive Council of the Island Territory of Sint Maarten.
In 1996, he assumed the duties of sector director of Support Services of the Government of the Island Territory of Sint Maarten.
On September 22, 2000, he was appointed as Governor of the Island Territory of Sint Maarten.
Other activities in which he had been active, include his having served as chairman of the Foundation for Special Education of the Windward Islands, secretary of the Sint Maarten Housing Foundation, member of the University of Sint Maarten, member of the Higher Supervision committee of Sint Maarten, member of the Voluntary Corps of Sint Maarten, member of the workgroup on constitutional affairs, member of the Supervisory Board of Directors of the Sint Maarten Ports Authority N.V. and chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Directors of the Sint Maarten Harbor Holding N.V.
He is married to Angela Huggins and has two children.
Cabinet of the Governor
The Cabinet of the Governor is, after the Directors and the Island Secretary, the final place where advices and proposals to the Executive Council are evaluated in accordance with the prevailing rules and agreements. The signature of the one responsible is important, but not a decisive factor. The attention in particular is focused on:
- the prevention of political ad hoc decision-making;
- the necessity to maintain the budget as a steering instrument against the background of an adequate multi-annual policy planning and an multi-annual budget;
- the resurgence of budgetary discipline and the optimizing of the tax collection. Many of these responsibilities and competencies of the office of the governor are related to the chairmanship of the Executive Council and the Island Council. The remaining competencies (such as within the frame of higher supervision) demand a discretionary and legal approach. The police regulations (PB. 1999 no. 79 as amended), the Law on the Admission and the Expulsion of Foreigners (PB. 1966 no. 17 as amended), and the Execution-decree of the Law on the Admission and the Expulsion of Foreigners (PB. 1985 no. 57 as amended) form the basis of the main-points of attention in maintaining the public law and order, public safety and immigration policy.
For instance, with regards to the government-owned companies, the cabinet is assisting the governor in his role as shareholders representative, mandated by the Executive Council, to address the compliance of recommendations made in operational audit reports of government-owned companies as well as a mutual synchronization of the activities of these companies.
Director of Cabinet is Ms. Ligia Stella. Other members of the cabinet are David Christian as section head press & protocol Reinier van de Pol as senior administrative lawyer and Iliana Schotborgh as senior administrative lawyer. Evelyn Hodge is management assistant of the governor, Cheryl Dormoy is secretary of the director of cabinet and Alphonso Benders is chauffeur of the governor / support secretariat Director of Cabinet. Rose-Marie Vlaun, Minelva Alexander and Miguel Warner are with the protocol section.
Ms. Ligia M. Stella MPSc |
Mrs. Evelyn Hodge Management-assistant of the Governor |
Cheryl Dormoy Secretary of the Director of the Cabinet |
David Christian Section head Press & Protocol |
Alphonso Benders Chauffeur of the Governor, support secretariat Director of the Cabinet |
Miguel Warner Protocol |
Minelva Alexander Protocol |
Rosemarie Vlaun Protocol |
Iliana Schotborgh Senior administrative lawyer |
Reinier van de Pol |
Press Releases
- VKS 12th anniversary celebration (June 28, 2009)
- Rotary Club lecture on Good Governance (June 14, 2009)
- Governor Activates EOC; Preparations Related to Influenza A Virus (May 1, 2009)
- 6 receive royal decorations (May 1, 2009)
- Dutch, French commissions discuss Franco-Dutch treaty (April 30, 2009)
- St. Maarten in solidarity with victims of QueenÂ’s Birthday incident in Holland (May 1, 2009)
- Consultation hours for immigration matters at government building (January 13, 2009)
- EXCO chairman urges Comm. Laveist to tender resignation (January 5, 2009)
- 2008 Official Year-End Address (December 31, 2008)
- 2008 Christmas Message (December 24, 2008)
- 67 Become Dutch Nationals (December 15, 2008)
- First naturalization ceremony on Kingdom Day (December 9, 2008)
- Kingdom Day holiday, shop closures Christmas Day (December 8, 2008)
- World Aids Day 2008 remarks (December 1, 2008)
- courtesy visit new postal director (November 21, 2008)
- Major revision of employment permit policy (November 20, 2008)
- Exco approves Philipsburg camera surveillance project (November 18, 2008)
- Governor's St. Maarten's Day Address (November 18, 2008)
- Chairman EXCO, IC urges urgent formation of St. Maarten government (November 17, 2008)
- St. MaartenÂ’s Day Shop Closures (November 9, 2008)
- U.S., Caribbean Leaders at St. Maarten Conference (November 7, 2008)
- Dengue Outbreak: confirmed cases continue to increase (November 6, 2008)
- Stop Mosquitoe Breeding (November 4, 2008)
- Dengue Situation on St. Maarten (October 24, 2008)
- Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness: exercise caution (October 13, 2008)
- New Police Officers (October 8, 2008)
- Local Chief of Police commends police department (October 3, 2008)
- Local Chief of Police congratulates police corps on anniversary (September 30, 2008)
- GovernorÂ’s office reiterates role of IC in commissioner appointment (August 27, 2008)
- GovernorÂ’s office shares calls for resolving of commissionerÂ’s resignation issue (August 18, 2008)
- Water management agreement signed (July 29, 2008)
- Authorities reiterate commitment to curb armed robberies (July 16, 2008)
- CARICOM Heads of State in transit (July 2, 2008)
- VKS members commended for public service (June 28, 2008)
- Diabetes Fair opened by Governor Richards (June 14, 2008)
- Teachers Union congratulated on 35th anniversary (June 14, 2008)
- Governor Richards explains ERNA rules (June 12, 2008)
- Discussions with state secretary, members of Dutch parliament (June 5, 2008)
- Governors meet Dutch Prime Minister (June 4, 2008)
- Hurricane preparedness urged (June 1, 2008)
- Governor Richards attends VNG congress (June 1, 2008)
- Preparations for 2008 hurricane season (May 30, 2008)
- Parlatino members welcomed to St. Maarten (May 28, 2008)
- Dutch Kingdom ambassador pays courtesy call (May 27, 2008)
- Housing seminar on St. Maarten (May 21, 2008)
- CSA Conference opening (May 19, 2008)
- Aids Candlelight Memorial (May 18, 2008)
- Community commended for carnival good behavior (May 4, 2008)
- May 4 observance on St. Maarten (May 4, 2008)
- Welcome for CARICOM CG (April 25, 2008)
- Royal decorations on St. Maarten (April 23, 2008)
- Presentation Governor Richards – safety and security (April 23, 2008)
- Farewell reception for Mathias Voges (April 16, 2008)
- Political propaganda materials not allowed on public roads (April 15, 2008)
- Encouraging start to new naturalization test (April 12, 2008)
- QueenÂ’s birthday, Labor Day holidays (April 11, 2008)
- Dutch police vist Local Chief of Police (March 31, 2008)
- How you can become a Dutch national (March 23, 2008)
- Good Friday shop closures (March 12, 2008)
- Policy residence permits foreign directors of local companies (March 3, 2008)
- Millicent de Weever appointed acting governor for St. Maarten (February 26, 2008)
- Governor Richards on lawyerÂ’s statements (February 26, 2008)
- New credit card size driver's license (Feburary 7, 2008)
- Local Chief of Police on re-assignment Chief Commissioner of Police (February 4, 2008)
- Courtesy visit Swedish ambassador (January 29, 2008)
- Sri Lanka nationals to be returned to French side of St. Maarten (January 20, 2008)
- Member Council of State meets Governor Richards, EXCO, IC (January 14, 2008)
- National Day of Prayer ceremony (January 13, 2008)
- Island Council tribute to the late Vance James Jr. (January 10, 2008)
- Governor Richards draws attention to consequences of lost passports (January 9, 2008)
- New judge sworn in for St. Maarten (January 7, 2008)
- Governor Richards conveys condolences on passing of Vance James Jr. (January 1, 2008)
- 2007 Year-End Address by Governor F.E. Richards (December 28, 2007)
- Shop closures Christmas, New YearÂ’s Day holidays (December 23, 2007)
- 2007 Christmas Message (December 21, 2007)
- VNG officials visit St. Maarten (December 17, 2007)
- Governor Richards congratulates York family (December 16, 2007)
- Local chief of police applauds local police officers for ongoing efforts (December 16, 2007)
- Integrity of the police force (December 12, 2007)
- Press conference ‘illegalities, police controls, law and order’ (December 10, 2007)
- Police re-enforcements arriving on St. Maarten (December 6, 2007)
- Helicopters need permission to fly over French side (December 5, 2007)
- Thanksgiving service – end of 2007 Atlantic hurricane season (December 2, 2007)
- World Aids Day 2007 ceremony (November 30, 2007)
- ODMP confirms no damages due to earthquake (November 29, 2007)
- New credit-card size driverÂ’s license coming soon (November 27, 2007)
- Governors meeting in St. Maarten (November 25, 2007)
- Visit of Dutch secretary of state (November 26, 2007)
- Governor Richards' remarks at ChildrenÂ’s Book week opening ceremony (November 18, 2007)
- St. MaartenÂ’s Day official address by Governor F.E. Richards (November 11, 2007)
- Local Chief of Police repeats call for Marechaussees, police re-enforcements (November 5, 2007)
- Local Chief of Police calls for kingdom support to fight crime (November 5, 2007)
- Address by Governor F.E. Richards - Opening Enviroweek 2007 (October 21, 2007)
- Agreement police, gendarmes to be formalized (October 16, 2007)
- Local Chief of Police reminds public of re-entry permit guidelines (October 10, 2007)
- Local Chief of Police concerned about findings in WODC report on crime situation (October 9, 2007)
- Governor Richards pays tribute to the elderly (October 5, 2007)
- Local chief of police reiterates community police support (September 29, 2007)
- Governor Richards expresses condolences to Curacao explosion victims (September 20, 2007)
- Temporary residence policy for foreign directors (September 3, 2007)