Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG:--- The two candidates that were elected on the United St. Maarten Peoples Party ((USP)) slate namely its leader Frans Richardson and the number two candidate Leona Romeo Marlin called an urgent press conference on Friday to clear the air on whether or not Romeo Marlin will jump ship to join UPP. As reported on Thursday by SMN News, Romeo Marlin was having issues with her party leader and threatened to go Independent and join the UPP.Leader of the (USP) Frans Richardson said that he stands committed to the two agreements he signed with the National Alliance and Democratic Party to form the new government. Richardson said that ever since the election results were made known the (USP) has remained committed to doing what is right for the country (St. Maarten). "I, as leader of the (USP) was the first signatory to a document announcing our willingness to work together with the National Alliance and Democratic Party which will be supported by eight Members of Parliament. We ((USP)) are also signatory to an agreement (Governing Accord) which entailed the division of portfolios in the new yet to be formed government. Today I want to assure you that nothing has changed as far as I, Frans Richardson is concerned. The matter of governance is one of the most serious things for the (USP), a responsibility that we do not take lightly. The (USP) intends to give content to governing the country now and in the next four years. I have the support of the party board and candidate Leona Romeo Marlin who contested the 2014 Parliamentary Elections and as far as we are concerned there is simply no room for any maneuvers that will endanger the country (US) from moving forward." Richardson further stated in his statement to the media that the (USP) was formed to address the socio-economic and financial challenges facing St. Maarten.
Leona Romeo Marlin.
When Romeo Marlin made her statements she attacked the social media especially SMN News for slandering her name and that of her campaign manager. Romeo Marlin first thanked the 245 persons that placed their confidence in her and voted for her on August 29th, 2014.Romeo Marlin said so far there is no government in place, she said the new government will take its place as of October 2014 therefore it is her responsibility to ensure that the 245 persons that voted for her know that what they were hearing about taking of monies was not true. "I find it unfortunate that people will try to slander my name in public however, what was posted on SMN News and Facebook will not break me. Remember I studied political science and one must remember that when getting into government I cannot just represent the 245 persons that voted for me. It's the same thing when I ran on the National Alliance slate in 2010 and was not elected I went back to the civil registry and I served everyone in this country and not just supporters of the National Alliance, I served everyone in this community because I am a professional. Romeo Marlin said she did not leave the (USP) party and that she was right there on Friday morning sitting beside the leader of the (USP). When asked if she was approached by any member of the UPP she made clear no one approached her personally but they did approach the leader of the (USP) Frans Richardson. When asked if she had differences with her party leader and if she wanted to reopen the negotiations and to also demand the Ministry of Education for the (USP)? "Like every other political party when it's time for selecting Ministries I had my concerns, yes I did have concerns and I discussed with the leader of the (USP) and the President of the (USP) board Cecil Nicolas. If anyone knows me they will know that if I have questions I will ask them." SMN News asked Romeo Marlin if she had those concerns prior to the signing of the governing accord on Monday morning or if it was after because SMN News got reliable information that during the negotiations the (USP) was demanding the Ministry of VROMI but later they conceded and accepted the Ministry of TEATT and Finance, now information that is reaching us is that Romeo Marlin wants to reopen the negotiations in order for her to get the Ministry of Education. SMN News reporter further asked Romeo Marlin why she was in a meeting with her party leader Frans Richardson Thursday night if she still had more concerns and if there were things she needed to iron out after the governing accord was signed. "In any political setting there are things that have to be ironed out. Pressed for answers as to whether they were internal problems with her and the leader of the (USP) she said that every political party will have their ups and downs and Leona Romeo Marlin came on board to represent the people of St. Maarten. "If I have questions as to the way certain things were done because I thought it did not go the way I think it should go then I discuss it with the leader of the party, end of story, whether or not it happened in the beginning or in the end or in the future that is not relevant.The point is I have not jumped ship I am standing next to Frans Richardson. The point is when I get in Parliament my stance will not change, if something is not right in my opinion I am going to voice my opinion, that is just how Leona Romeo Marlin is. If it's good for the country then the country will get my support. People can throw me to the wolves but when I come back I will be leading in the pack. I will not be intimated by anyone and I will also not fight my battles in the social media."Romeo Marlin met with her party leader last night to work out their differences after the three leaders namely, William Marlin (NA) Sarah Wescot Williams ((DP)) and Frans Richardson ((USP)) signed a governing accord.
