Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Island Council of St. Eustatius met in a marathon session on Monday.
The meeting which got under way at 9 am and concluded at 7:20 was to debate the financial situation of that island.
It was in June of this year, Minister of Kingdom Relations and Interior Affairs, Roland Plasterk took a decision to place the government of St. Eustatius under administrative supervision, a move that did not sit too well with the government.
Since then, the government has sent a letter of protest to the Council of Ministers in Holland rejecting to acknowledge the decision of Minister Plasterk.
However, during the Island Council meeting on Monday, that subject was once again a point of discussion.
Meanwhile, during the meeting on Monday, the Island Council took a decision to pass a motion of no confidence against the Lt. Governor of St. Eustatius, His Excellency Gerald Berkel accusing him of subornation.
The motion was carried 3 votes to 1.
Speaking to our news department, Councilman and leader of government on St. Eustatius, Clyde van Putten indicated that it was necessary to put the motion of no confidence against the Lt. Governor because of his refusal to cooperate with the government.
According to van Putten, the Governor is in breach of subornation, and that it was important to pass the motion of no confidence against him.
Meanwhile, one of the persons opting to vote against the motion as was put against the Governor was Councilman of the opposition Democratic Party, Nicholas Sneak. According to him, the motion as was tabled was not clear.
He also accused the ruling coalition of victimization. He specifically made reference to the removal of the director of personnel, among others.
