MARIGOT: --- Elected officials at the Collectivity of St. Martin is now using scare tactics to collect the outstanding road tax for the year 2008 says President of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs at a public meeting last night at the Chamber of Commerce building in Concordia.
Gumbs said elected officials has so far failed to properly execute the laws when implementing the road tax last year which is still illegal according to the French laws. He said so far no one within the legal framework is able to fine anyone for not paying the annual dues which was implemented by the COM. Gumbs further explained that persons who received the letters sent out recently should not buckle or have fear since the letter in itself has no bearing and it is an illegal document. The COM sent out close to 2,800 letters using a photocopied letter head of the State. The letter which came from the Treasury has no official stamp neither a signature. Already officials at the Treasury said the letter did not come from their office and it is not a legal document.
The Association MOCSAM has put together a letter which they distributed last night to those persons who received the threatening letter. This document they said must be filled out along with copies of the letters that came from the Treasury. The MOCSAM will have someone for three days next week which is Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Chamber of Commerce Building where they would be providing assistance to those persons who wish to contest the payment of the 2008 road tax in the administrative courts of St. Martin. The MOCSAM would also be collecting the letters and the necessary copies which will be mailed out to the Administrative courts by February 15.
The MOCSAM also plans to file an official court case against the COM and its elected officials who are harassing the citizens of this island with their illegal taxation.
Gumbs said that people of St. Martin have to get to the point and put a stop to the illegalities that is being conducted by its elected officials. He said the Territorial Council amended the road tax legislation where they increased the fees by over 45% something which he said cannot be tolerated. 
Gumbs further explained that his movement is not against taxation but they are totally against the way the COM has pushed the new sets of taxes down the throats of the people. He said he does not believe the COM would have all that is necessary amendment or laws in place for these taxes before 2010 and no one would be forced to pay for 2008 and 2009.
In an effort to further confuse the population of St. Martin fourth vice president Louie Jeffry held a press conference yesterday afternoon at the COM encouraging the population to pay their dues.