SXMElections.com

ST. PETERS--It appears that lightning has struck twice for One St. Maarten People's Party (OSPP). The party had to cancel the second planned town hall meeting of its campaign for parliament on Friday night. The meeting was due to take place in Rupert I. Maynard Youth Committee Centre in St. Peters, but there was no electricity; a similar circumstance to what occurred on Thursday at the Salvation Army Headquarters in Cole Bay where the party was slated to hold its first town hall meeting. Party leader former Commissioner Lenny Priest was not pleased with having to cancel a second meeting. The electricity was off at the centre, because the foundation that runs it did not pay the electricity bill. The OSPP leader said it was "unacceptable" utilities company GEBE, owned 100 per cent by government, would disconnect a community centre "for one outstanding invoice or some other matter." He agreed that the foundation, like any other institution, must have its finances in order to avoid embarrassing situations, but pointed out that OSPP is aware of many large businesses that owe GEBE "huge amount of money and they are still connected." Priest had publicly asked Shareholder Representative for GEBE Minister Maurice Lake, who hails from St. Peters, "how can he allow this to happen to this centre. Is this a new policy since he has taken over as Shareholder Representative of NV GEBE and will it continue?" OSPP has decided that the fee paid to the centre would be considered a donation to assist it in any future activities. "Honestly, we were looking forward to a very good meeting to interact with the many residents who showed up," said Priest. The party's "Vision Plan to Rescue St. Maarten" will still be taken to voters in the coming days as OSPP continues to drum up support for its first election race for parliament.Maurice Lake mentioned 1 time

One St Maarten People Party [OSPP] mentioned 5 times