Philipsburg:--- Island Councilman and commissioner Theo Heyliger is expected to declare himself an Independent member of the Island Council today (Tuesday). Heyliger is also expected to submit a letter of resignation to the President of the Democratic Party board Frank Arnell before the end of the week. At the same time the commissioner who resigned from the executive council last week will make known that he would be putting his support behind the National Alliance to form the next executive council. It is understood the only reason why Heyliger did not make the announcement last week was because of the passing of the party's founder Clem Labega who was laid to rest yesterday (Monday).
Sources close to Heyliger and Wathey's told this reporter that the commissioner wanted to show respect to the late Clem Labega a close friend of his late grandfather.
SMN News also understands that the Wathey family is not too happy with the video clips that was shown during the special island council meeting yesterday morning in memory of the late island councilman and commissioner Clem Labega.
The source said that Heyliger has been holding on for some years with the Democratic Party even though he knew he was not treated well. "Can you imagine Theo was the second hightest vote getter on the DP slate and he was supposed to be appointed deputy leader of the party but Wescot Williams denied him that right and gave it to Roy Marlin who did not even elect himself. Furthermore, Heyliger never gets support from his colleagues in the executive council, on the contrary they are always looking to cut short his budget even though they know he has several projects that would benefit the island." The source said Heyliger has to do what is necessary to remain in government since he has over half a billion dollars in projects that has to be completed. The source further explain that the Democratic Party does not show concern for its membership because they never contacted Heyliger who had two major surgeries last year to find out how he was doing.
It was evident yesterday that commissioner Heyliger is on his way forward since he did not mingle with his former colleagues from the executive council. During the extar-ordinary Island Council meeting Heyliger sat at his seat which was next to the party leader but the two did not speak to each other throughout the session.
Supporting the commissioner and grandson of the late Claude Wathey is advisor to the United Federation Union Willy Haize. In an invited comment Haize said he personally advised the leader of the Democratic Party to make amends with convicted Island Councilman Louie Laveist who was not treated well by the Democratic Party. Haize said he also indicated to the DP leader that if they did not do what is expected of them with Laveist then the island councilman would move to step 2. Haize further explained that Heyliger who is doing all he can for the St. Maarten community was not treated fairly by the leader of the Democratic Party and as such he too has to move on. The unionist said even though he was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party namely Theo Heyliger he would always maintain that support to Heyliger since he is the only one who is trying to do something for the island and its people. "Right now Theo has my blessings to move away from the DP". Haize said.
In the meantime, SMN News understands that Heyliger and his uncles are busy putting together a new party which would contest the next Island Council election, already the family chose the color the party would be using when they launched.