CUL DE SAC: --- Supporters of the National Alliance as well Commissioner Theo Heyliger came out in numbers to witness the historic signing of the declaration and political agreement at the Emilio Wilson Park on Saturday afternoon. Among them were the uncles of Heyliger, Willy Haize and several well known supporters of the Democratic Party.The agreement was named the Emilio Wilson Historical Declaration, and was signed by leader of the National Alliance William Marlin and Independent member of the island council Theo Heyliger.
The new leader of government will be William Marlin while the deputy leader Theo Heyliger. Marlin would also be the chairman of the leadership conference.
The National Alliance also introduced the new executive council which consists of five commissioners who would be sworn in on Moday June 8. They are Frans Richardson who would be holding the economic affairs and tourism portfolio, William Marlin will be responsible for constitutional affairs, education and housing, Hyacinth Richardson would be handling labour, Xavier Blackman is going to be in charge of Finance and Theo Heyliger will hold all the portfolios he handled previously which included environment and ROB.
George Pantophlet will be returning as an Island Council member while he would also be taking up one of the senate seats which were vacated by Marlin and Richardson, also going to parliament to occupy the other senate seat is Rudolph Samuel, while Patrick Illidge would be the new State Secretary for Health.
After the signing, Commissioner Theo Heyliger in his short speech said it took him sometime to make up his mind to leave the Democratic Party but he did so in the interest of the people of St. Maarten who elected him to work for them. He said over the past days a lot of discussions and negotiation took place which led to the agreement that was signed. Heyliger publicly thanked the leader of the National Alliance William Marlin who called him and invited him to begin the negotiations. "As far as I can remember I was on the opposite side of the National Alliance and other political parties that Marlin was on. Despite that I also had the opportunity to work with Marlin in 1995 during the DP/ SPA coalition government." Heyliger further explained that he is eagerly looking forward to be the deputy leader of government, one of the things he could not have said in 1995.In 1995 Heyliger was the highest vote getter but the DP leader had failed to recognize that back then. Heyliger also welcomed the other three junior commissioners and vowed to support them in the future. "Walking in here today felt a little bit different since I was member of the Democratic Party for the past 39 years, since I was born, so it did take me sometime to make this decision which I did in the interest of the people of St. Maarten". Heyliger said he was elected to serve the people and that is what he intend to continue doing with the grace of the new government in place.
Heyliger told the gathering that he listened well and he also recognized that his grandfather late Dr. Claude Wathey started out politics in the National Party (NVP), and it should not surprise anyone that he the grandson signed an agreement with the National Alliance.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin in his speech thanked his supporters who came out to witness the formation of the new government. Marlin also thanked Heyliger for answering his phone call. He considered the formation of the new government as the ‘dawn of a new day" and a new beginning for the people of St. Maarten. Marlin said he worked with Heyliger in the executive council for two years and he saw the work he did then and that which he is doing now. He said now that the two are on the same side in government they stand in threshold of a complete new beginning for the entire St. Maarten. Marlin said the negotiations on the governing accord is not over yet and the agreement signed on Saturday is only the political agreement. He said in the next few days they will put in place their governing program. He said even though this program will not have a lifespan of four years they hope to put St. Maarten beyond the 21st century. Marlin said this new government will make the constitutional process their priority so that they can execute the people's wishes. He said he knew the battle would be an uphill one since many in Hague has been saying St. Maarten is not ready. However, with the new team and the help of Minister of Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan they would prove those in The Hague wrong. 
Marlin said choosing the Emilio Wilson Park for the signing of the agreement was not a coincidence however; it is to show that this new government will be preserving the park as a historical park for the island's people.
The new leader of government (to be) said that they also heard the cries of the teachers particularly those in public education. Marlin said in the very near future they intends to meet with these teachers, he also made clear that the meeting will not only be about just talking instead they would be seeking solutions for public education together.
Marlin said they also heard the cries of the environmental groups and they intend take their cries seriously because the island's future belongs to everyone. He said the new government intends to dialogue with the people so that the island can move forward and be that strong Caribbean nation it ought to be.
Marlin also thanked independent member of the island council Louie Laveist who did not attend the ceremony. He said Laveist said the new government will get his full support but they would not be seeing much of him for now. Marlin said Laveist would be spending most of his time preparing his defense in his criminal case.
He also gave brief introduction of Xavier Blackman, the new finance commissioner whom he said was born in Saba but he spent 22 years of his life in Holland where he studied and worked. He said Blackman served in several high ranking positions in Saba and he is the director of KPMG St. Maarten. Blackman he said was also working closely with the island government.
Marlin in a twist said that the island government did mention they have 61 million guilders in their coffers but somehow they forgot to mention the amount of debts the island government has, thus the National Alliance would not be holding any parties to celebrate the historical moment. Marlin called on his supporters to come out on Monday at the Clem Labega Square and support the new government.