More than 30 of the 112 candidates contesting the upcoming snap election gathered at the I Love SXM sign on Great Bay Beach on January 1, to take a “Unity Pic.” Andrae “The Roof Man” Douglas created the initiative to show that, despite political differences, “we can unite for the love of St. Maarten.” Five of the six political parties had candidates take part in the initiative, with United St. Maarten Party (US Party) having no candidates present. Attendees included Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, Finance Minister Ardwell Irion, Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus, as well as Members of Parliament (MPs) Sidharth “Cookie” Bijlani, Wycliffe Smith, William Marlin, Sarah Wescot-Williams, Anna Richardson, and Ludmila Duncan.
