Philipsburg: ---- Former State Secretary for justice, founder of the St. Maarten Peoples Party (SMPP) and the number two candidate of the People's Progressive Party in the 2007 Island Council elections Johan Janchi Leonard said the island council members on St. Maarten are too selfish. Leonard said that now the process of forming a national or broad base government is being hindered because too many island council members are looking at what is in it for them and not the island. Leonard further explained that while the island has a terrible image overseas politicians and island council members are busy fighting over who is to be the next commissioner. He said while being a commissioner is good these island council members can make a greater input in other areas to further develop the island as well as taking the constitutional train to its destination.
The veteran politician who was also a member of the Democratic Party said he fully endorses the proposal of the leader of the National Alliance William Marlin who already said he is looking to forming a National Alliance led government. "I fully agree with the perspective of the National Alliance who said they are not going to be used to prop up a falling government. However, the leader of the National Alliance must sit with his members in a retreat to sort matters out. As a leader, he needs to be fully transparent and open with his members and let them know the direction in which he plans to take them. Right now Marlin has to show his leadership skills and let his island council members know who can be and will be commissioners. We need people with knowledge and intelligence in government." Leonard said.
Leonard further explained that everyone at this point in time knows that Independent Island Councilman Louie Laviest is the one that dictates politics since it is with his vote alone that decides who would be running the island. However, even though not having all the details many scenarios can be worked out. Asked if he feels that any of the two parties should form a government with the island council member, Leonard said even though he knows that this person has thrown down the government twice and is has severe legal problems he has not yet spoken to Laveist to get the details of what is really taking place.
Leonard also made clear that Mr. Laveist remains the key person in the formation of a new government simply because he does not foresee the two major political parties namely the DP and NA coming together to form a broad base government. "Right now you have bunch of commissioners who are looking at their own interest and not the interest of the country and that is the major problem facing St. Maarten. Had these commissioners and island council members put aside their own self-interest then it would have been an easy combination to form the next government. "My advice to each of these party leaders is to make sure they inform their members that everyone cannot be commissioners and they need to act quickly if they are to eliminate Laveist's power from the island council." Leonard stressed that while he respects the people that voted for Laveist and the commissioner himself he cannot be allowed to jeopardize the island and its future. " Even if he was not treated fairly by anyone he cannot risk the entire island, that is plain as well as simple for the leaders and well as Laveist to understand." Leonard said.
The first and foremost problem is both of the party leaders want to be leader of the government and that is a problem from the onset. "Right now Sarah would not let go of leadership and William would not allow her to be the leader in this new government. I also fully support William because he did not fail the island." One has to understand that we are at the threshold of constitutional changes and Wescot Williams has been to all meetings and signed all documents thus far and to let go of all that is going to be hard for her. However, Wescot Williams needs to put that aside and put country first and not just say it as lip service. "My message is for all eleven island council members who must put aside their self interest and put St. Maarten first. Even though it is the prerogative to be commissioners they cannot do such when the country is at stake, some of them would have to give up what they want since the island is on the verge of its constitutional change." Leonard said St. Maarten right now needs people with experience to follow through with the changes that are ahead and those that are holding on to what they want has to move aside and allow the process to go on.
Obviously angry and emotional when making his statements Leonard said his island is painted black in Holland and other countries and the politicians need to be transparent and open with the people who elected them. He felt that the two leaders needed to hold a mini retreat and trash out this problem for the sake of St. Maarten.
