Featured News
~ Office, home, Port raided ~
PHILIPSBURG--The Special Anti-Corruption Taskforce TBO of the Kingdom Detective Cooperation Team RST, led by an Investigating Judge, arrested well-known businessman and Checkmate Security owner O’neal Arrindell on Monday in connection with an investigation called Emerald.
The task force searched Checkmate offices on A.Th. Illidge Road, Arrindell’s accountant’s home in Dawn Beach, Arrindell’s home and the guest house located next to his private residence in Pointe Blanche for most of Monday. The team confiscated several luxury vehicles from Arrindell’s home on Monday evening.
Emerald is an investigation into bribery, tax fraud, forgery of documents and money laundering.
The Daily Herald understands that Port St. Maarten executive offices also were searched by the TBO team.
Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Gino Bernadina issued a release, but did not mention the exact locations of the raids.
The Emerald investigation started in April 2016, following reports in the newspapers and questions asked in Parliament about the contract signed between Checkmate Security Services NV and Port St. Maarten. This newspaper reported in February 2015 that the new contract, to be signed with Checkmate Security’s at the time new owner Arrindell, would see the Harbour pay a massive increase for services rendered at the port.
According to the Harbour's 2015 budget, a copy of which this newspaper had in its possession, the hourly rate charged by the security company increased in September 2013 from $6.75 to $7.07 per hour, a hike of roughly five per cent. Under the new contract, however, the rate was scheduled to increase by some 48.5 per cent, from $7.07 to $10.50 per hour.
Questions posed by this newspaper and members of Parliament about the reasons for this massive increase went mostly unanswered by the Port and Government at the time.
The Prosecutor’s Office noted in its press release that during the Emerald investigation suspicions arose about tax fraud, forgery and money laundering taking place. The investigation is still ongoing. A number of bank accounts were seized in close cooperation with the authorities on the French side and a yacht was also seized.
The Port issued a statement after the searches stating to its employees, customers, investors and all other stakeholders that from the search warrant handed to management by Judge of Instruction J.J.J. Schols, it was evident that the search conducted was in connection with a criminal investigation directed against a third person.
“Neither the Port nor any person connected to the Port has been named as a suspect in this matter, according to a press release. The Port is fully cooperating with the Prosecutor’s Office in accordance with its legal obligations,” concluded the statement.
Port St. Maarten’s management was asked by The Daily Herald whether the investigation into Checkmate would affect the Port’s International Shipping and Port Security Certification and whether the Port was reviewing its relationship with the security firm. The response received via e-mail was: “The Port is investigating the matter in detail and cannot provide any comments at this stage.”
The Emerald investigation is the second involving Arrindell in the last several months. A shooting took place at The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort and Spa parking lot on May 29 this year at approximately 10:00am. K.L. (33), A.J. (43) and L.W. (37) were injured during the shootout. The three men are suspected of involvement in the shooting and money laundering.
The Mahi Mahi investigation into this shooting continued and searches led by the Prosecutor and in the presence of a Judge of Instruction were carried out at five different addresses on Tuesday, August 23. G.W.M. (45), A.R.L.B.T. (35) and O’neal Arrindell were arrested at the time.
A substance suspected to be illegal drugs, documents, administration, computers and other digital data carriers were found and confiscated during searches in light of the ongoing investigation. Arrindell was released the same day of the searches. However, he remained a suspect in the Mahi Mahi investigation.
The TBO task force was formed because the Prosecutor believes that corruption and money laundering threaten the security and economy of the countries in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. The RST’s special Anti-Corruption Taskforce TBO, together with the National Detectives Agencies (“Landsrecherche”) of Curaçao and St. Maarten and the Prosecutor’s Office joined forces to combat corruption.
Miss Mature Queen Norrisa Anatol with the children and owner of Hope Outreach Foster Home after the dinner.
PHILIPSBURG--Miss Mature Carnival Queen 2016 Norrisa Anatol treated the children and owner of Hope Outreach Foster Home to a delicious dinner on Thanksgiving Day, last week Thursday.
“I have so much to be thankful for, and I chose to share my blessings with others,” Anatol stated on Monday.
The home currently houses 18 children and is cared for by Antonia Hodge.
The children were picked up at the home and driven to Carl and Son Lounge in Philipsburg. When they arrived, the room was fully decorated and contemporary music was being played. Anatol welcomed the children at the door and escorted them to their seats.
Before serving dinner, Anatol conducted a reflection exercise during which the children were asked to express what they were thankful for. It was an emotional night as the children conveyed their deep appreciation for Hodge, whom they call Oma (Grandma), and their families. With the help of Team Rissa, the children were served baked chicken, turkey, macaroni pie, green salad, rice-and-peas and buns.
The night ended with Anatol surprising Hodge with a beautiful birthday cake, while the children sang Happy Birthday.
“I am truly blessed to be celebrating with all of my children. Miss Mature, your heart is pure and I appreciate you for treating us like royalty tonight, and know that your kind gesture will not go unnoticed,” Hodge said.
“I would like to thank Team Rissa for assisting with the preparations, Kenrick Housen of Carl and Son for providing the lounge, Russell Bell of Elle Si Belle tours for transporting the children to and from dinner, Mark’s Place, Francisca Anatol, Leandra Joseph and Tony’s Air-condition for their contribution towards the Thanksgiving dinner items,” Anatol concluded.
Miss Mature Queen Norrisa Anatol and children enjoying their Thanksgiving dinner.
Invites Travel Agents/Tour Operators to Come On-board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 28, 2016
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten will be participating in the 47th edition of the Dutch Vakantie Beurs Utrecht (Tourism and Leisure Fair), considered the trade show for the travel industry. The Vakantie Beurs will be held from January 11-15, 2017 at the Convention Center in the Dutch city of Utrecht.
Destination St. Maarten has been absent from the aforementioned trade show for several years resulting in a low brand awareness of the country in the Dutch market.
Port St. Maarten is inviting travel agents/tour operators to be part of the ports Vakantie Beurs booth where they get the opportunity to promote the destination and also create awareness of cruise travel to the island. Interested travel professionals can email the port at: buzz@portstmaarten.sx
Travel agents/Tour operators are essential in creating travel experiences as they can engage with clients and help them plan that perfect stay-over or cruise. Vakantie Beurs Utrecht is the perfect opportunity to connect the thousands of travelers that visit the tourism and leisure fair every January with a vacation experience, and travel agents are the ambassadors.
Vakantie Beurs Utrecht caters to business to business and business to consumers. More Dutch travelers are becoming aware of cruises, and the St. Maarten cruise brand is the largest and most developed cruise port in the Dutch Kingdom.
In 2016, approximately 121,593 visited the Vakantie Beurs. Visitors were interested in receiving information about Europe (68 per cent), the Netherlands (24), and destinations outside Europe (61).
The top five destinations with Europe in 2016 were Spain (36 per cent), Italy (35), France (30), Germany and Portugal (25), Austria and Switzerland (21).
This expo fits into the port’s destination strategy to infiltrate the European Union tourist market. Port St. Maarten is moving full speed ahead in establishing itself as a home port destination in the north eastern Caribbean catering to small and medium size vessels as well as the high-end market of the luxury cruise sector. The home porting business will translate into a significant positive impact on the country’s economy with spinoffs to the majority of sectors.
“The destination is a diversity of experiences for the traveller. In 2017 we want to make an impact just like we did in January 2016 when Port St. Maarten made its first debut at the tourism and leisure fair. In 2016 at the fair, a lot of patrons showed interests in the destination.
“We have to continue to create a demand for the destination by sharing information, and promoting what we have to offer in this part of the Kingdom when compared to continental Europe. It is essential for the country to have a presence at such events in order to keep the island profiled in the tourism and travel market where there are hundreds of competitors.
“Stayover tourism is a main component of the country’s tourism industry and is linked to Port St. Maarten. Without stayover visitors, things will be different. It is up to us to sustain this and continue to grow and therefore that is why as a port we are investing in our future by attending this expo and are inviting travel agents/tour operators to come on-board as we promote our destination experiences,” Port St. Maarten Management pointed out.
For information about Vakantie Beurs Utrecht, you can visit: http://www.vakantiebeurs.nl/nl-NL/Bezoeker.aspx
News of another raid at the Checkmate Security building and arrest of its owner spread quickly on Monday. His home and offices had already been searched in connection with the “Mahi Mahi” probe into a shooting incident at the Westin parking garage earlier this year.
It’s important to note that this latest law enforcement action concerns another investigation dubbed “Emerald” regarding tax fraud, forgery of documents and money laundering, of which the detained businessman is suspected. It started following newspaper reports and questions in Parliament on the security services contract signed with Port St. Maarten.
The latter is obviously the reason a search was also conducted at the Government-owned harbour company. Management was quick to issue a statement saying the operation obviously targeted a third party and that it’s fully cooperating with the prosecution.
That may be true, but the continued legal issues with this particular security firm could certainly have a negative impact on the Port’s image. Although nobody in his right mind will lightly suggest breaking a valid contract with all possible financial and other consequences, at this point the harbour authorities would do well to look into this matter carefully and study different options for the future in case these become necessary.
In other words; hope for the best, yet prepare for the worst.
The continued lack of much-needed repairs to Back Street (see related story) is becoming a downright disgrace. Any motorist who drives over that street will confirm its condition is disastrous in certain sections to the extent one has to fear damage to one’s vehicle, never mind bus drivers and others who are forced to pass through there several times on a daily basis.
Normally this falls under the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development and Infrastructure VROMI, but it was made part of a Philipsburg improvement and beautification project of the Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) Ministry. Ground was symbolically broken by TEATT Minister Ingrid Arrindell and then-independent parliamentarian who nominated her Silvio Matser on Thursday, September 22, in the presence of Prime Minister William Marlin.
Work would begin that weekend, they stated at the time, more than two months ago. The money was to be advanced by the Port of St. Maarten, but management now says it will await the pending installation of a new Cabinet.
Meanwhile, the downtown area is becoming ever busier as the holiday period kicks in. The upgrading of Back Street is to take three to four months, weather permitting, which basically means the entire job will have to be done during the height of the tourist season, hardly the most desirable scenario.
Nevertheless, the situation has gotten so bad urgent action can be delayed no longer, whatever the current hold-up regarding apparently half-baked agreements made. Government must assume its responsibility in this matter once and for all.
PARAMARIBO--Businesses in Suriname are no longer allowed to accept the US dollar as means of payment, Government has announced over the weekend. A joint press release from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Suriname CBvS said that this “de-dollarisation” is one of the measures being taken to achieve a balanced economy and a stable exchange rate.
PARAMARIBO--As Suriname celebrated its 41st Independence Day on Friday, November 25, with a crippling economic crisis, President Desi Bouterse called on the community to “work together to take this country to higher heights” and “not be deterred dumb people.”
CARACAS--Venezuela's bolivar currency has depreciated an unprecedented 60 percent in a month against the U.S. dollar on the black market to trade at nearly 3,500 on Monday, according to the widely-tracked web site DolarToday.
LOS ANGELES--U.S. wind and solar companies for the first time gave more money to Republicans than Democrats during the 2016 election cycle, according to federal campaign disclosures, part of a years-long effort to expand renewable energy's appeal beyond liberal environmentalists.
LONDON--Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt swapped the race track for the red carpet on Monday for the premiere of a new film looking at his record-breaking career.
NEW YORK--A new film about Jacqueline Kennedy, one of the most photographed yet private women of the 20th century, attempts to get behind her mystique by blending factual events with imagination in the week after the 1963 assassination of her husband, President John. F. Kennedy.
COLUMBUS, Ohio--A car and knife attack by an Ohio State University student that injured 11 people on Monday before the suspect was shot dead by a police officer is being investigated as a possible terror attack, a U.S. congressman and another government source said.
NEW YORK--President-elect Donald Trump stepped up his search on Monday for a new U.S. secretary of state, with the focus on David Petraeus, a former U.S. military commander in Iraq whose mishandling of classified information led to his resignation as CIA chief in 2012.
LA UNION, Colombia/CHAPECO, Brazil A chartered plane carrying top-tier Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense to the biggest game in its history crashed in the Colombian mountains, killing 75 people on board, authorities said on Tuesday.
Dozens of bodies were laid out and covered with sheets around the wreckage of the BAe 146 aircraft, which was lying in mud near La Union, a small town outside Medellin.
The plane went down about 10:15 p.m. on Monday night with 72 passengers and a crew of nine. It was unclear what caused the crash, although local media said the plane had reported an electrical fault shortly before it disappeared off radar screens.
A Reuters photographer said the plane split in two, destroying the tail end. Rain hampered the dozens of rescuers as they combed the muddy and forested area.
Chapecoense, from Brazil's top league, had been flying to face Atletico Nacional of Medellin on Wednesday in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final, South America's equivalent of the Europa League. On Tuesday, Atletico Nacional offered the championship to Chapecoense.
It was the first time the small club from the southern city of Chapeco had reached the final of a major South American club competition.
Colombia's civil aviation head, Alfredo Bocanegra, said by Tuesday morning, there were 75 confirmed fatalities, with six injured survivors. He said the death toll could rise.
Tributes poured in from the global soccer family and Brazil declared three days of mourning.
"I express my solidarity in this sad hour during which tragedy has beset dozens of Brazilian families," President Michel Temer said.
"The government will do all it can to alleviate the pain of the friends and
family of sport and national journalism."
Brazilian news organizations said 21 journalists had been on board to cover the match.
Colombia's disaster management agency listed players Alan Ruschel, Danilo Padilha and Jakson Follmann as survivors.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 said on Twitter the last tracking signal from flight 2933 had been received when it was at 15,500 feet (4,724 m), about 30 km (18.64 miles) from its destination, which sits at an altitude of 7,000 feet (2133 m).
The BAe 146 was produced by a company that is now part of the UK's BAE Systems
TRIBUTES
The crash evoked memories of other soccer air disasters, including the Munich crash in 1958 that killed 23 people, including eight Manchester United players, journalists and traveling officials.
World governing body FIFA said on Twitter its "thoughts were with the victims, their families, fans of Chapecoense and media organizations in Brazil on this tragic day."
Chapecoense qualified for the biggest game in its history after overcoming the Argentine club San Lorenzo in the semi-final on away goals following a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires and 0-0 draw at home.
They were underdogs for the match against a club going for a rare double after winning the Copa Libertadores in July.
Chapecoense was the 21st biggest club in Brazil in terms of revenue, bringing in 46 million reais ($13.5 million) in 2015, according to a list by Brazilian bank Itau BBA.
The club has built its success on a frugal spending policy that eschewed big money signings and concentrated on blending young talent and experienced journeymen.
"They were the hope of our city," said Jean Panegalli, 17, a student in Chapeco. "They played for love of the shirt and not for money. They played with the commitment that only those who have lived here know.
"They were ferocious."
Chapecoense's best-known player was Cleber Santana, a midfielder whose best years were spent in Spain with Atletico Madrid and Mallorca. Coach Caio Junior also was experienced, having managed at some of Brazil's biggest clubs, Botafogo, Flamengo and Palmeiras among them.
The crash prompted an outpouring of solidarity and grief on social media from the footballing community, with Brazilian top flight teams Flamengo and Santos tweeting messages of support.
Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas tweeted: "My condolences for the plane accident that carried @ChapecoenseReal. Tough moment for football. Good luck and stay strong!"
The South American football federation suspended all games and other activities following the crash.
(Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Additional reporting by Helen Murphy, Julia Symmes Cobb and Luis Jaime Acosta in Bogota, Andrew Downie, Anthony Boadle and Dan Flynn in Brazil and Tim Hepher in Geneva; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Bill Trott)
HAVANA--Tens of thousands of Cubans, some wrapped in red, white and blue Cuban flags, paid final respects in Havana on Monday to Fidel Castro, who led a leftist revolution, ruled for half a century and resisted the United States throughout the Cold War.
MOHALI, India-- Ravindra Jadeja led India's strong lower-order batting display with a career-best 90 before spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin wrecked England's top order to put the hosts firmly in charge of the third test on Monday.
Leonald Conner defeated Sister Magda in the continuation of the RBC St. Maarten Little League School Tournament at the Ballpark on Pond Island Saturday. The Conner School won 9-7. Hillside Christian School bested Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School 5-0 and in the Secondary School division MPC Braves beat PVSE 23-0 in the first semi-final . Action continues this afternoon as Leonald Conner returns to the diamond to face Genevieve de Weever. First pitch is set for 5:00pm.
(Curaçao Chronicle)
My question is, what are InselAir and its shareholders hiding? Why are Korpodeko, the Government, and the Ministry of Transport accomplices in this mystery? First of all, remember that the Government, representing the Curaçao people, owns 21% of InselAir’s shares, and Korpodeko, on behalf of the Government controls that 21%. As a major shareholder, they should have several Directors on the Board of Directors of the airline. But even though the Curaçao people are one of the, or perhaps the most proportionate shareholder in InselAir, they have always been marginalised by the Directors and the other private shareholders, who manage and control the airline at their whim.
Korpodeko has always been an accomplice. We do not know if by instructions of the politicians and ministers, who have paid the favours, and are committed to the private shareholders of InselAir for their great contributions in campaign times to the political parties they represent.
The reality is that InselAir never paid the loans for millions of dollars that Korpodeko granted it and for which the airline guaranteed and passed, on behalf of Korpodeko, representing the Government and the people of Curaçao, 21% of its shares. At the discretion of others in Curaçao, Korpodeko does not fulfil its responsibility as a fiduciary agent on behalf of the people of Curaçao by acting passively and not demanding clear accounts.
They also do not demand representation and supervision, according to its investment, in InselAir’s board of directors. The airline disappoints the Government in managing the funds and the company to its desire and keeping the state, one of the main shareholders, out of any decision.
Secondly, InselAir hides behind the fact that it is a private company, therefore, it does not have to give financial information to anybody. Well, we know that's not completely true. On the one hand, for what I have explained in the paragraphs above, and on the other hand that as an airline that operates a concession of the State for which it must be regulated by the State.
It is the obligation to present to the Ministry of Transportation and the DGAC its audited detailed financial statements, including losses and profits, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash flow that demonstrate its financial health. This obligation is mandatory and both InselAir and the Government are failing their responsibility, by, one, not to provide it and hiding behind the fact that it is a private company, and the other the Ministry for not demanding it.
Moreover, the Government is obliged to remove the concession from the air carrier if it does not provide the complete financial information, or if this Information shows that the air carrier is in a delicate financial situation, or financial crisis since the State's main duty is to ensure the service to the user, and air safety of the operations of the operator. An airline in a dire financial situation, such as InselAir is a risk to the safety of passengers, as the aircraft are not properly maintained and could cause an accident.
It is my opinion that InselAir is obliged to give all its financial information. Make it public through the Ministry of Transportation and the DGAC, so that the user of its services can appreciate the financial conditions of its operator, and can make their decision when they have to use its services and buy a ticket in the future. The regulator of the concession, the State, can determine if InselAir should and can continue to operate that concession. By not demanding this requirement, the State becomes an accomplice of any possible user fraud, or of any accident that the financial crisis could cause.
The user of the air transport trusts that the Air Transport Regulator is regulating that public service, both financially and operationally. The State is obligated to regulate that public service. By not doing so, it is defrauding the public and protecting the operator under the weak argument that it has to protect the jobs. This is my personal opinion. InselAir does not want to display its accounts, because it simply has a lot to hide.
Venezuela does not owe InselAir. The Bolivares, product of their sales in Venezuela, were already used to buy dollars in the black market. The financial statements are impossible to audit, and to show it to the authorities, as it is their obligation as operator of an air concession, property of the state, would show that their crisis is such that they are bankrupt.
Nelson Ramiz
Aviation expert
Dear Queenie,
My boyfriend and I have lived together for several years and now we are getting married. We already have everything we need so we have asked everyone to make donations to charity in our names rather than giving us more things we don’t need, but still we are receiving wedding gifts every day.
Queenie, how do we get the message across? And what do we do with all the stuff we don’t need and really don’t have space to store?—Frustrated
Dear Frustrated,
Accept all the gifts with thanks (be sure to send “thank you” notes to the donors in a timely fashion) and later donate whatever you do not need to whatever charitable organisation can make the best use of them, even if it is just by holding a flea market sale.
And also be sure to send “thank you” notes to those persons who actually complied with your original request.
