Marigot: --- The committee members supporting Robert Romney were extremely disappointed on Monday morning when they showed up at the Nina Duverly School to continue their protest against Romney's removal from St. Martin. Members of the committee told SMN News that they did a lot of leg work over the weekend hoping they would have convinced the population to join the action.
Julien Gumbs of MOCSAM said he personally spoke to certain people who promised to assist with the blocking of the roads and the people they said promised to get involved but by Sunday afternoon they switched off their telephones. At least three owners of heavy equipments were supposed to join the protest on Monday morning where their vehicles would have been used to block the three main entrances to Marigot but they too did not live up to their promises.
Teachers of the Nina Duverly School were seen outside as padlocks were on the school gates. Later employees of Service Technique and two officers of the Police Territorial showed up and cut the chains off so the teachers and students that were waiting outside the school compound could enter and begin their day's work.
Gumbs said the situation on the French side is critical and they did whatever they thought necessary to mobilize the population regarding the cause and the dignity of St. Martiners. He said the cause they are fighting today is not only about Romney but the general affairs of the French side.
The MOCSAM president said that over the years they are told St. Martin does not have qualified people to hold key positions reasons why the Collectivity and other departments are importing foreign labor. Gumbs said Romney's case is an example because today there is a qualified local who wants to give back to his island and he is being removed. "Robert Romney has reached to the highest level of administration and he understands the situation regarding the delinquency and school drop out on the French side and he wants to help. This should not be about Romney and how much money he makes. It is about how badly St. Martin students are performing in school and what would be the end result. "Robert Romney worked hard to develop his career and whether or not he has a good salary, it is something he earned." Gumbs said. Gumbs said St. Martin students are the worst for the Academie and for France and Romney has felt the distress of the island's students and he wants to help.
Several persons told this reporter that they are not supporting the Romney issue because no one could hurt Robert Romney. They said he is almost to the end of his career and he has a very well paid job. However, protesting and blocking the streets would hamper the already weak economy. Responding to that Gumbs said the people has to set their priorities right because when the delinquency rate increases, crime would definitely increase and that would also damage the economy. He said if the students are given a well rounded education they would contribute positively to the economy and the population needs to analyze the situation correctly.
Gumbs said the committee would meet again to access the situation and to see how they would move forward. He said one of the things the committee would have to decide is if they would continue to move in the name of the people when the people themselves are not present. Gumbs said he is also concerned about how the members of the Territorial Council are acting. He said the councilors voted a motion unanimously to keep Romney on St. Martin while the President said he has sent a letter to the Recteur requesting information yet they are working against the Support Committee.
At the office of Robert Romney and the Inspector, glue was placed in the locks which prevented the workers of the department to open their doors to enter the building. The inspector who was seen outside said he was not at liberty to speak to the media and that he needed authorization from the Rector to speak.
SMN News learnt that the inspector who is scheduled to leave on pension sometime next month already contacted some members of the committee that are teachers to find out what is their mission. According to our sources the teachers are fonctioneers (civil servants) and they are bound by the droit du reserve unless their unions are involved in the protest.
In the meantime, the Recteur is scheduled to visit St. Martin on June 30th.