PHILIPSBURG--Arts Video Studio (AVS) has postponed its second political debate to this Saturday, September 4, from 7:00 to 9:00pm.

The debate was originally scheduled for this evening at Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre. However, Executive Producer Ricardo William said it was postponed because of the expected passing of Tropical Storm Fiona today, Wednesday. He said too that most St. Maarten Cable TV subscribers had lost service due to the passing of Hurricane Earl on Monday. The debate is usually broadcast live on St. Maarten Cable TV and streamed live via the Internet.

Saturday's debate is one of four organised by AVS in the run up to the September 17 early Island Council elections to give the community an opportunity to hear the plans and views of candidates from the four parties in the race: the Concordia Political Alliance (CPA) the Democratic Party (DP), the National Alliance (NA) and United People's (UP) party.

The first political debate was held at Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre on Sunday, August 22. The third debate will be held on Sunday, September 5, and the final debate on Sunday, September 12.

Party leaders Jeffrey Richardson (CPA), Sarah Wescot-Williams (DP), William Marlin (NA) and Theo Heyliger (UP) are set to square off in the final three-hour debate of the series on September 12.