Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG:--- Almost three weeks after signing an agreement with formateur Theodore Heyliger, leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams finally broke her silence on Monday at a press conference held at the House of Parliament. Wescot Williams said it is indeed remiss of her not to speak about her decision to sign an agreement with formateur Heyliger on October 9th 2014, one day prior to the swearing in of the new Members of Parliament for the governing period 2014 – 2018. Wescot Williams read a statement she read after the results of the August 29th Parliamentary Elections were announced. That statement reads "We of the Democratic Party have been given a chance and it is up to us to decide how to use it. Having played a big part in St. Maarten's Government since 2010, it is evident that openness with the people and transparency in government business are critical issues. It is too early to say exactly how, but the Democratic Party will ensure that the message we got from the voters and our party principles will be the guiding lights for us in this new political landscape of St. Maarten." Wescot Williams made clear that the agreement she signed with Heyliger was on behalf of the Democratic Party where she expressed the willingness of the Democratic Party to participate and support the formation of the Government of St. Maarten for the period 2014- 2018.Wescot Williams said that the agreement was signed after having discussions between parties regarding Governor Eugene Holiday's mandate to formateur Heyliger and the general outline of the governing accord and assignment of portfolios 2014-2018 as signed by eight Members of Parliament on October 3rd, 2014.Wescot Williams said the accord carried the approval of the Democratic Party which includes but is not limited to the integrity reports, a plan of action for the tax office, operational audits of government owned companies. She further stated that the appointment of Ministers will be done collectively. Wescot Williams further explained all of the details will be worked out as they are still busy drafting the governing program.Wescot Williams said the decision to join the UPP was not easily arrived at, some people she said saw the whole thing as a conspiracy but that she said was not the case. She further explained that meetings were held with the board of the Democratic Party and its membership and as some has publicly expressed, not all members of the DP supported the decision.When asked by SMN News if she met with the board of the Democratic Party and her membership prior to signing the agreement on October 9th, 2014. Wescot Williams said at this point it really does not matter. However, she did admit that when she met with her membership it was to inform them of the decision she took, with the blessings of the board of the Democratic Party. When asked how many members of the party have resigned from the DP she said that she received one official resignation. She also admitted that she did receive several communications some in favor, some disagreeing, and while there are a number of her membership who does not agree they respect her decision. On Tuesday Leader of the Democractic Parly Sarah Wescot Williams sent an email to say that she recieved two resignation letters from her membership, she said she does not want any of the past members to feel slighted and therefore for the sake of completeness she wants to clarify that so far two of the Democratic Party members have resigned since the UPP/DP/ Marlin coalition was formed.SMN News understands that Wescot Williams met with membership of the Democratic Party on October 12th, 2014.In her last press briefing which was held at Holland House, SMN News asked Wescot Williams if she was going to join the UPP/De Weever coalition government and she said on a number of occasions that her decision will depend on what they offer her or tell her. On Monday when Wescot Williams finally broke her silence, SMN News asked the DP leader what she was offered to join the UPP/De Weever coalition. In her response Wescot Williams said when she said that the last time she did not mean that she was going to join for the exchange of anything. When asked what they told her causing her to join the second coalition without the full support of her membership. When asked what is next for the Democratic Party especially knowing that one of her main members (Michael Ferrier) openly spoke out and also resigned from the Democratic Party. Wescot Williams said that for now the "dust" has not settled as yet therefore there is no consensus as to where this will lead especially since the current government is facing an impasse.
Actions that are on the Front Burner for Parliament.
At the press briefing the President of Parliament/Prime Minister of St. Maarten said that since she took up the position as President of the Parliament of St. Maarten she took stock of some of the things that have to be done within short. One of the things that the Parliament and Government have to work on is the instruction the Kingdom Council of Ministers issued to the Governor of St. Maarten on October 17th, 2014. She said St. Maarten will resist this instruction.Wescot Williams said during her first two weeks in Parliament even though wearing two caps at the moment the Parliament of St. Maarten managed to hold several meetings including appointing the faction leaders of the Parliament of St. Maarten. For the Democratic Party Cornelius de Weever was appointed faction leader. Wescot Williams said the Assembly met to discuss the allocation of office spaces to the various factions and to appoint some of the commissions.Wescot Williams said that there are a number of legislations that are at the house of Parliament to be handled and those legislations must be handled. One such legislation is the amendment of the civil code to curb the abuse of the short term contracts, the initiative law banning plastic bag which is at the Parliament of St. Maarten for handling since 2011, the timeshare ownership legislation, the AOV law to increase the age of pension.The Chairlady of Parliament also announced that next week a central committee meeting will be held to handle the invitation sent to the President of Parliament to attend the Kingdom concert which will be held in the Netherlands. Another decision that will be taken in that Central Committee meeting is Parlatino invitation on the conference that will be held on November 28th, 2014. On the agenda for that meeting she said are women in politics, democracy in the 21st century, and the integrity report commissioned by St. Maarten.Wescot Williams said her intention as the Chairlady of Parliament is to discuss with the factions the meetings that have to be reconvened in order to make a schedule to get rid of the backlog.High on the agenda for the Democratic Party is the Electoral Reform which has to be amended, integrity in parliament and the possibility to hold referendums on certain issues in order to get a feedback from the people.She spoke of the zoning plan for the country, government owned companies, and how can parliament stimulate the growth of small businesses.
