Philipsburg: -- Independent island councilman Louis Laveist did not mingle with words yesterday when he told the island Lt. Governor and Chairman of the island council Franklyn Richards that he has declared himself an independent member of the island council. Laviest said by declaring independent means that the island council now has three factions and the chairman who is charged with providing him with the necessary tools and office has not yet done so.Laviest said the chairman Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards failed to mention that there was a third faction during the special island council meeting which was held earlier in the day to bid farewell to former Island Councilman Ebenezer Richardson who was a neighbor of Laveist. The councilman said he did not feel it was the proper time and place to address the issue during the special island council meeting. However, he said if he did not mention the issue during the second island council meeting then it would have been remiss of him. Laveist said he personally believes that this was an oversight on the part of the chairman. However, he said he would like for the chairman to take the matter seriously. He also made clear that this does not jeopardize the support he gave to the Democratic Party to re-form government during the month of November. "The same loyalty I gave the DP when I was member of that party, that loyalty still remains as an Independent member" Laveist said people have asserted that the DP are having troubles but assured that is not on his account.
The island councilman also rebuked the chairman for constantly vacating his seat while chairing the island council without appointing a replacement. Laveist said in his years of politics he has served as an Island council member, commissioner and parliamentarian, faction leader for two terms for the DP. Laveist said during his years in parliament as well as during his years in the island council under the chairmanship of others have has he seen any chairman vacated their seat or took the lectern without appointing a replacement. Laveist said even though he noticed both incidents during the special island council meeting he did not think mentioning it during that time would have been the right thing to do. He called on the chairman to bring about some clarity on the matter. Laveist said he wants to know when the chairman takes the lectern for five or ten minutes who is the chairman of the island council during that period if time.
He said no one should not take his statements as confrontational or challenging anyone's authority.
After making his public statements Laveist told SMN News that while the Lt. Governor is busy calling on him to resign as a commissioner he is neglecting his duties as the chairman of the island and executive councils. The commissioner said so far Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards did not provide him with the necessary tools and an office as a third faction yet he is calling on him to resign from the executive council even though the issue is political. Furthermore, Laveist said Richards is attacking him personally because he seems to have something against his person. "This is no hearsay I know the Governor has something personal against me". Laveist said.
Laveist further explained that what is taking place in the island council of St. Maarten cannot take place anywhere else in the world or third world countries. He said Richards has no respect for the rules of order (ERNA) as well as the eleven island council members who were elected by the people of St. Maarten. The commissioner who is set to answer charges of fraud, forgery and bribery on Wednesday said this is the first time he mentioned the irregularities but the chairman was notified on these issues on numerous occasions by other island council members.