Philipsburg: --- The island council carried the amendments of the articles of incorporation for the St. Maarten Telecommunication Company and the St. Maarten Medical Centre on Monday. Some ten island council members were present to vote for the amendments, which was put forward by the executive council since August 13. Of the ten votes cast, nine voted in favour of the amendments while Island Council member Petrus Leroy De Weever said he was not voting for something he did not see.
De Weever said he requested the names and credentials of the permanent committee and to date he has not received them. He said he cannot vote for something that would never get back on the floor of the island council, shortly after making his statements De Weever said he would abstain from voting and headed for the door, but the chairman of the island council Franklyn Richards called out to him saying its either for or against since he is present at the meeting. De Weever then said he opted to vote against the motion.
Island Councilman Roy Marlin prior to voting reminded the chairman that during the discussion the island council was promised copies of the article of incorporation of the other government owned companies. He said the island council needed to have the articles for the airport and harbour, both the old articles and the amended version, which is still forthcoming from the executive council.
Also addressing the same issue was island council lady Sarah Wescot Williams who said that outside of the articles of incorporation they also have to receive certain answers that were posed to the executive council. Wescot Williams said her faction would be submitting their request to the executive council in writing and they also expect the executive council to send them the answers in writing. While island council lady Maria Buncamper-Molanus said, she believes every member of the island council is disappointed with the actions that led to where they are today. She said he hope in the future the island council would be able to conduct itself in a more professional manner particularly how they view the actions of the executive council.
Leader of government William Marlin also addressed the council prior to casting his vote, Marlin said it is clear to the National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laveist government that the issue of voting for the amendments could have been put to rest earlier. He said that the only reason the members of the opposition walked out of the island council is because they realised that the executive council did not have the majority that day and they needed them for a voting quorum. Marlin said in the past there were several adjournments something they are used to and it is unfortunate that members of the Democratic Party chose to play politics simply to delay the process. He said he hoped that the DP faction realised that their actions are only hampering St. Maarten and not the executive council.
