Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - During the plenary session of the House of Parliament on Monday debating the National Draft Ordinance for the Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten, Member of Parliament of United People's Party, the Honorable Franklin Meyers requested that some changes be made to the document.
Whilst addressing that subject on the floor of Parliament, the MP outlined some of the areas where amendments should be made in the ordinance.
Meanwhile, whilst speaking on the floor of Parliament handling the National Draft Ordinance to establish the Integrity Chamber, Member of Parliament and leader of the USP, the Honorable Frans Richardson made clear that they had no intention of bringing a motion of no confidence against the Minister of Justice, the Honorable Denis Richardson for signing the protocol with his Dutch counterpart.
He is of the opinion that the issue was sensationalized by the media. Following the signing of the document, MP Richardson delivered a letter to the Minister of Justice on Friday, June 12th requesting that the Justice Minister tender his resignation, a call that led to much speculation in the community.
Since the letter was presented to the Justice Minister, the leader of the USP opted not to address the matter with the various media houses, who had been trying to get a better comprehension of his intention for his action.
However, whilst speaking on the floor of Parliament on Monday, the Member of Parliament stated that he has the utmost respect for the Minister of Justice, and that politically they have a difference of opinion as to how things should work.
In a reaction to Member of Parliament and leader of the USP, the Honorable Minister of Justice Denis Richardson noted that he respects all Members of Parliament.
"He remarked: "I have worked on St. Maarten since 1994 when the island was under higher supervision and all politicians who have worked and understand and should feel by now that for me, democracy is one of the most important values that we have, and I respect all Members of Parliament."
He also told the MP that he believes that there was a misunderstanding, as integrity does not fall under his watch. "Integrity is the portfolio of the Prime Minister and that the Prime Minister is there by the grace of the UP Party.
If he has to report to anybody it would have been to the UP Party," the Justice Minister told MP Frans Richardson, whilst addressing the issue of the Integrity Chamber.
Minister Richardson also made clear that no individual owns a Minister or a Council of Ministers, and that if it is own, it would be by a majority.
During the meeting on Monday and in addressing the issue of Integrity, Member of Parliament of the National Alliance, the Honorable Christopher Emanuel made mentioned of a civil servant who was sent home for reporting what he says was irregularities in the Ministry of Justice, and at the same time, someone who committed fraud at the police station is still being kept on the job.
Meanwhile, the disclosing of the names of civil servants on the floor of Parliament by MP Emanuel, garnered a strong reaction from Minister Denis Richardson. The meeting on Monday was adjourned until further notice. Here is the chairman of Parliament, the Honorable Dr. Lloyd Richardson.
