Marigot: -- Territorial Councilor Noreen Brooks has started a campaign where she is rallying the people of St. Martin to take to the streets and demand that a general election be held. Brooks began her radio-ton campaign on Saturday after the State Council has officially annulled the August 7th elections where Frantz Gumbs was elected President of the COM. Brooks said in almost all of the talk shows she appeared on that there needs to be some sort of disorder before there can be order in the house. She said the people (population) do not know the amount of power they have and as such they are acting naïve. "You elected us to represent you and clearly you have seen that the people that were elected almost two years ago are not capable. They are not looking out for your interest and you need to tell them its time to pack up and leave. Most of all after two sanctions it is clear these people are not ready and has not respected law and order."
The territorial councilor admitted that she is very much ashamed of what is taking place within the local government. Brooks said it is clear that the councilors from majority do not have a voice of their own and they are not able to vote their conscience. She said writing someone's name on ballots shows that there is a lack of trust within the party and there is some level of dictatorship taking place most of all it is disrespectful. "This kind of manipulation has to stop and should there be another internal election nothing would change since the UP already declared that Gumbs would be re-elected. Why can't Marthe be given a chance, she was the first VP under Fleming whom the people elect not Gumbs, I personally believe a woman would do a better job." Brooks said. Questioned on Air Supply yesterday by ""Diamond Cat" on whether the RRR party would give Ogoundele Tessi their support again should she postulate, Brooks said she has no problem giving Ogoundele her support even though she and other party members were disappointed with Ogoundele after the senate elections. "As far as I am concern people have to move forward and vote their conscience with the issues that are before them and not hold grudge or malice." Brooks said. The councilor was described as one of those persons who tell's it as it is when it comes to defending her people and her island.
Brooks also said she cannot teach people how to love their people and or country. "One has to first love themselves before they are able to love anyone else, their country and the well being of their people." She declared.
Even though not speaking on behalf of the RRR party Brooks said she has entered the political arena to look out for her people's interest and whenever she has to speak out she would continue to just that.
Asked if she felt the people of St. Martin was given adequate information on Article 74 the councilor said she felt that sufficient information was given, she further explained that she had championed 74 and she still does today. Brooks said in her opinion article 74 is not the problem instead it is those that has the mandate to manage the new status. She gave examples of St. Barthelemy that has the same status which is managed by the people of that island.
Brooks said it is time for the St. Martin native people to get a chance to manage their own affairs. She said if locals need trainings then government has an obligation to educate and further develop their own people as is the case in Anguilla.
