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Stuart Johnson has been nominated for the Crystal Pineapple Awards Fundraiser in the category for Outstanding Community Service (individuals).

Stuart Andrew Johnson was born on June 24th, 1984, on St. Maarten to the proud parents of Saba-born Rudolph Johnson and Aruba-born Linda Johnson. While in high school, he was a member of the Teen Times Youth Newspaper, Volunteer Club of the School, St. Maarten Green Voice Foundation, and Democratic Party Youth Wing of which he became president.

Upon completing his secondary education, he enrolled in the University of St. Martin (USM), where served as the first Student Government Association President, from 2003 to 2005. While in SGA, Stuart fought to have the organization notarized, which facilitated an increase in its (size/membership) and influence. Despite this already hectic schedule, Stuart remained active in the St. Maarten community. He has remained in close touch with the general public in areas ranging from youth affairs, environment, sports and culture, just to name a few . In December 2005, he launched his own foundation, named Youth Link Foundation, which he currently serves as the president. Additionally, he continued to take the initiative with clean up campaigns in the districts of Cay Hill and Middle Region as well as the Guana Bay/Mullet Bay beaches.

As an extremely active community activist Johnson continued being a member of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation, and today, served as the youngest Vice President of the Foundation.

At the end of September, he became the youngest President to be elected to the board of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation as preparations for Carnival 2011 are already underway.  Additionally, he now serves as the Vice-chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of St. Maarten Postal Services.

“There have been few people as active in politics and in the community on the island as Stuart Johnson.” Stuart, in all aspects of the word, truly knows what it is to be a St. Maartener and he loves his beloved island, dearly.” – DP 50th Anniversary Special Supplement of the TODAY newspaper.

For those who know him, they will say, “this is just the beginning…”

The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association honors individuals for their outstanding performances. The organizing committee is calling out to the community of St. Maarten to nominate an individual they know. Individuals, who have been nominated in previous years, can be nominated again. “We ask you to please write why you would like to nominate the particular individual”. “Let the person or organization shine” says May-Ling Chun co-organizer of the event.

Nominations can be submitted until November 12th, 2010.  For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail:info@shta.com, or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: mchun@eyemc.net

For more information go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com

PHILIPSBURG— with less than two months left, the 5th Annual SHTA Crystal Pineapple Awards Fundraiser will be once again gathering the who’s who of the tourism industry and community of St. Maarten on Friday November 26th, 2010. Five years ago this event has been established by the association to recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the tourism industry and the community in general.

The awards consists of 5 categories and a total of 15 awards that will be given for those who really make our hospitality industry, trade and community go round.  This year there are 3 new awards: Outstanding youth achievement award, outstanding public sector achievement award and restaurateur of the year award. There are also some changes with existing awards, namely: the outstanding community service Achievement award has been split in two: one dedicated to organizations and the other to individuals. Additionally, the Journalism Award will not be in the category for voting, but will be chosen by the CPA judging committee based on submissions from journalists.

So far Three nominations are in; Mr. Tadzio Bervoets from the Nature Foundation for Outstanding Environment Award, Mr. Rajesh Chintaman for Outstanding Community Service Award (Individual), Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders, and Belvedere Housing and Tenant Association for Outstanding Community Award (Organization).

SHTA encourages the community to visit us on Facebook: “Crystal Pineapple Awards” and stay up to date on the latest nominations. Last year, a total of over 50 nominations were received. A selection committee will choose the final nominees for each category.

The award winners are chosen based on their contribution to tourism and the community, achievements described in their nomination form as well as the outcome of an online poll. St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association will have the support of Price Waterhouse Coopers for the auditing of the nominations voting system. This is the third year and SHTA is pleased to have PWC as a partner in this wonderful event once again.

The St. Maarten hospitality and Trade Association honors individuals for their outstanding performances. The organizing committee is calling out to the community of St. Maarten to nominate an individual they know. Individuals, who have been nominated in previous years, can be nominated again. “We ask you to please write why you would like to nominate the particular individual”. “Let the person or organization shine” says May-Ling Chun co-organizer of the event.

Nominations can be submitted until November 15th, 2010.  For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail:info@shta.com, or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: mchun@eyemc.net

Businessman Vincent Doncher received a lifetime achievement award during the gala event organized by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau to mark World Tourism Day. Doncher, best known as owner of Beach Island Store in Philipsburg, was honored along with five other local St. Maarteners who have contributed to various sectors of the island.

Honored were hotelier and community worker Jacinth Bryan Labega; everyone’s favorite baggage handler and trolley operator at the airport Nestor “Neste” Dunkin, who is a young 70 years of age; businessman and a person to whom many refer as the “father” of the marine industry in St. Maarten Bobby Velasquez; Herve “Baker” Emmanuel famous for “Bakers St. Maarten” mixed drinks; and the late Erwin “Bacco” Richardson for the years he spent developing sports on the island, in particular Little League Baseball and sports tourism.

Although those persons hailed from various backgrounds, the central theme for the evening was “Tourism and Biodiversity,” the international theme for World Tourism Day 2010.

In his address to the gathering, Commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson said biodiversity must be healthy for tourism to be sustainable. Unfortunately, he said, the world is losing “this remarkable asset at a rather alarming rate due to the fact that we emphasize development at all and any cost.”

He praised the work of local environmental groups for raising awareness, particularly among the youth. “They keep both government and developers on their toes, obliging them to consider both the short-term and long-term. Invited guests, from media to environmental workers, were treated to appetizers and dinner, entertained by MC Beau Beau and by Connis  Vanterpool and his band. Tourist Bureau head Regina Labega also delivered her World Tourism Day address.

Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald September 28th, 2010

For more information go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com