Press releases
URSM
Press releases
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July 15th, 2024
MP Brug seeks clarity on the payment of outstanding indexation and vacation allowance to civil servants and teachers.
PHILIPSBURG — The issue of outstanding indexation and vacation allowance owed to civil servants and subsidized school teachers in Sint Maarten is one that has caused much uncertainty and frustration. URSM Member of Parliament Richinel Brug, in seeking clarity on this matter from the Ministers of Education, Finance, and General Affairs, highlights the need for transparency and timely payment to teachers and civil servants.
MP Brug in a recent letter to the Ministers sought clarity as to the status of the 1% indexation and the 1% vacation allowance owed to subsidized school teachers, and the outstanding 2% indexation owed to civil servants. MP Brug considers it unfortunate that there has been so much uncertainty on this matter.
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June 24th, 2024
MP Brug urges the Minister of Health to take measures to avoid a health crisis.
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In a letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Member of Parliament (MP) Richinel Brug expressed his concerns about the increasing number of power outages on the island. These outages pose a significant risk to public health, particularly in regard to the safety of frozen food and perishable goods. Brug highlighted the potential for bacteria growth in defrosted food items, which could lead to food poisoning if consumed.
“Frequent power losses can pose a significant threat to the community's health. In particularly, the danger of frozen food spoiling and causing food poisoning. With power outages occurring three to four times a day, there is a higher likelihood of frozen food items getting exposed to bacteria, which can lead to severe illnesses if consumed.”
“I have received a number of calls from concerned citizens highlighting the fact that their neighborhood supermarkets and also some big supermarkets either have no generator, have issues with their generators coming on and or freezers that are not working properly.”
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April 5th, 2024
Brug says an approved 2024 budget is good for Sint Maarten!
SINT MAARTEN, PHILIPSBURG-- In a media statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Richinel Brug expressed his appreciation to the Parliament of Sint Maarten for passing the 2024 budget. Brug, who is set to replace the leader of the URSM in Parliament once he swears in as Prime Minister, called this accomplishment significant in light of the current political situation.
Brug acknowledged the peculiar circumstances under which the outgoing Counsel of Ministers presented and defended the budget for the incoming Government, while assuming their roles as opposition members.
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https://www.721news.com/2024/04/brug-says-an-approved-2024-budget-is-good-for-sint-maarten/
January 4th, 2024
BRUG submits draft law amendment proposal to ensure teachers who are stuck in their current salary scale, can go over to the next scale.
SINT MAARTEN, PHILIPSBURG – Number seven candidate of the URSM, Richinel Brug submits a draft law amendment proposal to ensure teachers who are stuck in their current salary scale, can go over to the next scale.
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December 6th, 2023
Brug submits Risk-allowance law initiative for Frontline workers.
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Unified Resilience Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) candidate, Richinel Brug, submits Risk-allowance law initiative to the Minister of General Affairs.
“It is with great honor and excitement that I submit this Risk-allowance draft law initiative. For years I have seen firsthand what my fellow law enforcement colleagues have had to go through, while not being (financially) compensated nor appreciated for their service.”
November 20th, 2023
Brug submits updated tax returns and Police Record to President of the URSM.
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On Friday November 17th, 2023, URSM candidate Richinel Brug submitted a copy of the certificates of good standing of his personal tax returns and those of his family business to the President of the URSM, attorney Brenda Brooks. Brug also submitted a recent copy of his police record to Ms. Brooks.
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November 15th, 2023
Brug: To play politics with the stomach of our students is to have no understanding of the level of poverty.
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, URSM candidate Richinel Brug, made a press statement regarding what he deems a political game that the Minister of Health Social Affairs and Labor is playing. “I was baffled to read the press statement of the Minister in which he boasted about a pilot breakfast program his Ministry will be executing for the coming three months starting Monday, November 13th. One cannot ignore the fact that this timeframe coincides with the last few weeks leading up to elections.”
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October 1st, 2023
Brug wishes seniors a happy International Day of Older Persons. Vouches to amend the tax law.
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) candidate Richinel Brug wishes all senior citizens a happy International Day of Older Persons and vouches to amend the tax law for seniors.
August 27th, 2023
Brug submits National Decree for Government subsidized school food program.
PHILIPSBURG — Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) prospective candidate Richinel Brug submits in accordance with article 7 of the Law on Compulsory Education a National Decree containing general measures regulating a Government subsidized school food program for students. This National Decree was booked in at the Government Administration Building on Friday August 25th, 2023.
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https://www.721news.com/2023/08/brug-submits-national-decree-for-government-subsidized-school-food-program/
August 18th, 2023
Brug releases statement on decision to remove black curtain.
Philipsburg — “As a future candidate of the Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement Party (URSM), I am elated with the decision to remove black curtains from our voting booths. This decision attempts to give each and every aspiring candidate for political office an even playing field. There are so many (young) persons who have the interest of this country at heart, who have the will to make changes that will benefit the population, but because of the factor of vote-buying are constantly being overlooked.”
https://www.721news.com/2023/08/brug-releases-statement-on-decision-to-remove-black-curtains/
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August 15th, 2023
Brug: We have to move our children's stomach gauges from Empty to Full.
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) prospective candidate Richinel Brug, expressed in a press statement his dissatisfaction with the level of political rhetoric at the start of each school year. “Beautiful words do not improve the quality of education, the labor conditions of teachers, nor fill empty stomachs.”
https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=51278:brug-we-have-to-move-our-children%E2%80%99s-stomach-gauges-from-empty-to-full&Itemid=450
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June 20th, 2023
Brug says Reparations can be very instrumental in eliminating poverty on Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG –In a press statement this weekend Richinel Brug made his position known on the debates surrounding Emancipation Day activities in the Kingdom, apologies by Dutch Government in 2022, reparations and poverty on Sint Maarten.
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May 15th, 2023
Brug says teachers should not be held hostage in their current salary scales.
PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Richinel Brug says teachers should not be held hostage in their current salary scales. As a person vying for legislative office, Brug proposes an amendment to article 2 of the “Bezoldigingslandsbesluitonderwijs”. This amendment would allow teachers who are stuck in their current salary scale, to go over to the next scale. The “Bezoldigingslandsbesluitonderwijs” is the National Decree containing general measures that regulates the remuneration of teachers on Sint Maarten.
https://www.721news.com/2023/05/brug-says-teachers-should-not-be-held-hostage-in-their-current-salary-scales/
April 16th, 2023
Brug lauds Frontline workers​
SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - Richinel Brug expressed his sincere gratitude to all the men and women on Sint Maarten who fall in the categories of the Frontline worker, the First responder and the Essential worker. “When referring to these specific groups of workers, I am talking about the Policemen, the Immigration officers, the Coast Guard officers, the Firemen, but also our security guards. Not to forget our teachers, doctors and nurses in the Healthcare sector, the Ambulance personnel and also our cleaners.”
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March 19th, 2023
Richinel Brug officially joins URSM​
SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - On Sunday March 19th, 2023, Mr. Richinel Brug released a statement officially announcing his candidacy on the URSM. Brug, is no stranger to the political arena as he has been an active member in the community for most of his life. Brug was born in Curacao and moved to Sint Maarten when he was five years old. He was raised in Town, by Antillean and West-Indian parents, his parents instilled in him strong Christian values and principals. “I believe it is my responsibility to contribute to a better Sint Maarten for not only myself and my family, but for all Sint Maarteners.
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January 9th, 2023
Brug resigns from the United Sint Maarten Party.
PHILIPSBURG:--- United Sint Maarten Party candidate Richinel S.J. Brug, on December 31st, 2022, formally resigned from the United St. Maarten Party (USP). Brug thanked the USP for granting him the opportunity to be a candidate on the list, to work in the cabinet of Minster Rafael Boasman in 2017- 2018, and for the support offered, during election campaign periods from 2014 to 2020. “I have always had political aspirations. Addressing the needs of our people has always been my #1 and only concern. In 2014 when I joined the USP, I honestly believed that we shared the same political ideology. However, over the years I have realized that priorities have shifted and so have the values of the United St. Maarten party”, stated Brug.
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July 11th, 2022
Brug says our Pensioners need more relief now.
PHILIPSBURG:--- As the high cost of living has become a global issue, it is now that decision-makers are tested on their ability to lead and protect the citizens of St. Maarten, as there are measures available​ to minimize it. One of the groups in our community that is struggling with the situation the most, with extremely limited options to (an) alternative solution(s) is our pensioners and our impaired persons. They are suffering more now, than ever before. Unlike the younger generation who are also going through the struggle, has a choice/decided, when possible, to work 2, sometimes even 3 jobs just to meet their BASIC needs. This is not possible for most pensioners nor is it the desired solution.
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March 26th, 2022
Richinel Brug Urges Decision Makers to begin counter measures to combat High Cost-Of-Living / Poverty ASAP.
PHILPSBURG, Sint Maarten: ---The COVID-19 pandemic has really taken a toll on our “Sweet St. Maarten”. Decision makers have implemented some cost cutting measures that negatively affect the income of our people. It has contributed to a reduction of business activities, which lead to reduction of working hours for employees and unfortunately, in some cases, dismissal of employees as well as closure of some businesses. To make matters worse, the cost-of-living continues, to go up while decision makers drag their feet to put measures (not limited to legislations) in place to help ease the burden of the people of our country especially pertaining to acquiring our basic needs. No citizen of this country should ever have to choose one basic need over the other. For e.g., buying groceries, paying rent, buying gas, paying utility bills (including internet) or providing for their child(ren) needs.
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December 20th, 2019
Richinel Brug donates to United Super Stars Football Club
SINT MAARTEN (SUCKER GARDEN) - Richinel Brug has again come to the aid of another nonprofit organization. This time his focus is on the United Super Stars football club of Sucker Garden. The club has been in existence since 2007. In April of this year the club elected a new board consisting of Stanley York as President, Vice-President is Leonidas Friday, Lourens Efrich as treasurer, General Secretary is Deshawn York, Eugene Heyliger as director and the public relations officer is Shirley Hilaire. The newly installed board has as its main focus the development of football among the youth in the Sucker Garden area and to afford them the opportunity to have educational sports programs which will help to mold them into more productive citizens.
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