Philipsburg:--- Independent Member of Parliament Romaine Laville came out from his hiding place and attended a joint press conference that was held by the three factions United Peoples Party (UP), Democratic Party (DP), and Independent Member of Parliament Romaine Laville on Wednesday afternoon at the House of Parliament.
Laville told reporters at the press conference that he wants to make clear that his actions did not have any monetary gain, instead he is doing what he believes in and has gone as far as sacrificing a secure position as a Member of Parliament and will become the Minister of TEATT. Laville said that he knows the consequences of his actions because the same Members of Parliament he is supporting now can bring a motion of non-confidence against him before the remaining term is over. He said despite all of that he is making a personal sacrifice in order to work for the people of St. Maarten. Laville said that ever since he entered the political arena in 2010 he has made sacrifices such as giving up his job at the harbor to become a full time Member of Parliament. He said that he did so in order to work for the people of St. Maarten. Another point Laville raised as he defended his actions was the fact that he was very vocal and spoke out against his party "UP" during the Pelican layoff. He said he has not changed his position ever since he entered politics because he has one objective which is to serve and work in the interest of the people of St. Maarten. "I am tired of leaving the House of Parliament to go over to the Government Administration Building and knock on the doors of the Ministers and beg them to work for the people of St. Maarten. I am really tired of doing this therefore I had no choice but to withdraw my support from the current coalition because there has not been any change in government. When I saw that nothing has changed then I was left with asking myself why I really left my party. I also had to look and see if the unresolved issues I have with MP Jules James is more important to me or the affairs of the people. The same goes for the unresolved issues I have with my party leader Theodore Heyliger. My hope is that one day I will be able to resolve these issues and move on."
Laville said that some of the things he wanted to see implemented by the current government are a "breakfast program" for students that are going to school hungry, free education on St. Maarten, and to ensure that prisoners who are released from prison get a job. He said that government needs to structure its organization because there are qualified St. Maarteners that have returned to the island and they are unable to find jobs in the fields in which they have studied. He said that right now the people do not understand his actions but he believes that someday everyone will understand when the dust settles. He also said he is regretful of what is happening with the constant change of government. However, he believes that the people of St. Maarten need to take stock on what they really want for their country. He said the people would constantly say they want change but they are not willing to do what is necessary like making sacrifices and the brunt to achieve the change. Laville said that he tried to put several things in place such as putting what is necessary for the elderly but it never happened, he said that what is happening on St. Maarten is that the voters are failing to call the politicians to order when they are not doing what they have to do for the people that elected them.
Laville further said that if he has to be the sacrificial lamb in order to achieve the change they need then so let it be. He said he heard all sorts of things during the past days, even those that are telling him to look at what happened in Curacao with MP Helmin Wiels. He said if that has to happen then let it be because he intends to stand on his principles and beliefs.
Member of Parliament from the Democratic Party Petrus Leroy De Weever said in his presentation that this is a sad day for St. Maarten because he is not at all happy with the decisions he was forced to take. De Weever said that he has a very good relationship with the Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin and others. He said what has happened now derived from what took place during the budget meetings and they that are supporting the current coalition have lost confidence in the government. De Weever called on the Ministers from the National Alliance Faction to do the right thing and resign because they do not want to get to the point where they would have to put a motion of non-confidence against these Ministers. He said the Ministers and Parliament have certain rules that they need to follow and there should be trust between the Ministers and those that support them in Parliament. De Weever said he was peeved during the budget meeting when he learned of the new taxes that will be imposed on the people and the Minister did not consult with Parliament prior to taking these decisions. He said that matters that were tabled and suggestions made by the Democratic Party were not considered when these new taxes were imposed. Secondly, he said they have asked many questions about the harbour and to date they have not received any answers from those in charge and that has clearly breached the trust that was placed in the government. MP Roy Marlin said to date St. Maarten does not have a budget because the budget is not yet signed off by the governor. Marlin said just prior to the budget debate St. Maarten was facing an instruction from their Kingdom partners, especially regarding the justice park and the budget. He said that even though they are changing guard, St. Maarten still faces the instruction from the Kingdom because of the budget, one of the main reasons why he voted against the project. Marlin said that he asked if this project could have been done in phases but he did not receive the answers. When asked by SMN News if the new coalition considered the additional expenses that will be added to the budget because they would have to pay more Ministers if they are able to get into office. Marlin said they did not consider that but in his opinion the additional salaries will not have dire consequences for St. Maarten. Marlin further explained that the National Alliance Council of Ministers is putting the horse behind the cart when they tried to send the Members of Parliament home. He said it is the Parliament of St. Maarten that sends the Council of Ministers home and not vice versa. Marlin further explained that the only one that can call for new elections is the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams and no one else.
Member of Parliament Gracita Arrindell also spoke at the press conference, she said that the UP faction members have been raising a number of issues for the past year and have been highlighting the inadequacies of the government.