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Home Letters to the editor

BAFFLED BY THE PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UPP LEADER.

Friday, 24 May 2013 00:23 SMN NEWS TEAM
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Dear Editor,

I am completely baffled by the press release from the political leader of the United People's Party Theodore HEYLIGER. How can the leader of the United People's Party have the audacity to issue such a press release? A politician, who's, name, over the last two and a half year has surfaced in different scandals. There are many words in the press release of the leader of the United People's Party that in my opinion should not be part of his vocabulary. In his press release the leader of the United People's Party made mention of the following expressions: -do the right thing-let democracy prevail-tyrannical behavior-no respect for the rule of law-lost credibility to function-look at the message he is sending to young people-what example is being set-sabotaging democratic process-do the honorable thing. Now people let us be realistic and ask ourselves the simple question. Do you believe that a politician, who is involved/embroiled in three different investigations/scandals since the election for parliament in 2010, should use the above mentioned expressions in a press release to cry down another politician? This is a clear example of "the pot calling the kettle black". His boldness is beyond my comprehension. Let us take a look at the incidents/scandals in which it has been alleged that the leader of the United People's Party is involved. It has been alleged that the United People's Party was involved in the buying of votes during the election for parliament in 2010. The act of buying votes for an election of parliament is punishable by article 132 of the Penal Code. The Bada Bing Affair: Most of the world has seen this incident through the internet. The involvement of the leader of the United People's Party in this affair was made known by the suspect Jaap van de HEUVEL in a statement given by him to a local daily newspaper. And last but not least the alleged bribing of parliamentarian Romain LAVILLE, who filed a complaint by the authorities. Bribing a parliamentarian is a breach of article 183 of the Penal Code. As long as the prosecutor's office has not stated the contrary, these investigations in my opinion are still ongoing. Buying votes, bribing a parliamentarian and destroying your political opponent in a sleazy manner are considered to be very serious breaches of the law and are considered to go against the core principles of a democracy. Any politician, who uses these methods to achieve power in politics, is according to my opinion a person without credibility and is not worthy of taking part in the electoral process. Before closing this article I want to make mention of a despicable remark made by parliamentarian Jules JAMES in which in my opinion he questioned the neutrality of the Governor of Country St. Maarten. Parliamentarian James remarked in a very aggressive manner during the political upheaval in the parliament building that the Governor was appointed by the National Alliance. Any person with some common sense, based on the moment and occasion of the remark, will conclude that Jules JAMES was trying to insinuate that the Governor will side with the National Alliance in the ongoing political standoff. There was no other reason for him to make that remark. Because of the function of the Governor I know that the Governor will not react to Jules JAMES, but I as a citizen of this country can. Jules JAMES should be ashamed of himself. The Governor of Country St. Maarten is a man of integrity and Jules JAMES is not. Jules JAMES performance in parliament portrays someone, who is full of hate and vengeance. It is said that he is a preacher, but that quality surely does not show up in his actions in parliament.

Todd PETERSON

Last Updated ( Friday, 24 May 2013 00:23 )

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Response to Maurice Lake.

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 21:16 SMN NEWS TEAM
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Dear Maurice,

After reading your article in the Daily Herald, I could not resist replying to it.
All of a sudden you are claiming that the President of Parliament shows arrogance and abuse of power, really? Also that he is influenced by WM. You only saw arrogance in the President? What about the members of Parliament of the UP/DP/Ind Laville what were they showing?. They were rude, disrespectful and shouting and pounding their fists on the desks, what behavior is that? The President was calm and collective, not once did he shout or pounded on the desk as if he was irritated. Your own Parliamentarians had to be restrained by Janchi, who indicated to them that detectives and plain clothes police officers were in the building. I think all of the Parliamentarians of UP/DP/Ind Laville should step down immediately and allow NEW ELECTIONS. There are those of you, who are convinced that the NA cannot win any election, as no one would vote for them. What is the problem then, let's have EARLY ELECTIONS. You claim that the President made a Fish Market and a mockery out of our system. What exactly did he do? Was he the one shouting? I was there and I did not see that. Jules James was shouting the name of our Deputy Prime Minister, and treating him with disrespect. They indicated that they wanted WM to be the Prime Minister, not Sarah Wescot-Williams, with her 2 seats, her party was rejected by the voters last election. If you are saying that William is making a "Papi show" out of the President, and that William wants to stay in power, really? What does Theo want, not to get back into power at ALL COSTS, do you recall the Bada Bing Saga??? Whose names were called???You criticized the persons marching and counted 60 persons, do not let that fool you. What about the signature drive with thousands of persons signing in, even UP/DP supporters? I guess that is irrelevant? Those signatures represent the voice of the public.
You are claiming that Theo has a vision, because all the projects that are being worked on now, were his idea. Please explain to the people which ones. The Causeway? If that is the case, then the NA has the right idea, continuation of Government, not stagnation.
Let me jog your memory about vision and projects: Which administration negotiated the Harbour? Who built the Emergency Homes, also Belvedere after Luis? Who repaired and prepared the Jose Lake/ John Cooper Lake Ball Park, so that the Kingdom Games could be held here? And do you remember who got the credit? Who built the Public Schools on the Island beside the Oranje School? The PM implemented Compulsory Education and did not see to it that the Infrastructure was in place, and who made sure that it was carried out? Every time the NA is in Government they are never given a full term. The N.A. always has to clean up the mess left behind. But for the past 50 years DP has been in Govt. by themselves many times and what do they have to show for the average person on St. Maarten? Be honest with yourself and the people of St. Maarten.
I can understand your frustration. You were promised a lucrative position and seemingly that is in jeopardy now. Now I understand your motivation to keep writing nonsensical articles, trying to mislead the people, who know better. If you are a good Advisor to Theo and he listens to you, let him settle for "Early Elections". Why is the Prime Minister afraid to resign? Do you know why? She does not trust your leader, remember she put HIM out of Govt. by joining the NA and Vengeance is the name of the game. He also put HER out of Govt. So you see there is a battle going on, everyone is protecting their own interest and to hell with the people. It is about ME not WE.
You are being used and one of these days you will be dumped, after those using you have achieved their ultimate goals. This is a motherly advice to you.

Theresa Illis

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 22 May 2013 21:40 )

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The Prime Minister.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 02:06 SMN NEWS TEAM
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Dear editor,

When a Prime Minister speaks that Prime Minister should speak with authority. A prime Minister should speak about big things/plans for a country and have a long term vision. There is also a certain cachet that should be part of a Prime Ministers functioning. Unfortunately the Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten does not always portray the above in her speeches and actions. The Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten often times comes across as week and spends too much time on little things. Even though the Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten is the political Leader of the Democratic Party it appears that the Prime Minister has very little to say in the decision making of the party and that the two parliamentarians of the Democratic Party Leroy de Weever and Roy Marlin are calling the shots and is dictating to the Prime Minister their course of action, which makes the Prime Minister look extremely week.

The Prime Minister should realize that MP De Weever and MP Marlin are big business boys in this community and that there is where their allegiance lies. The action of these two parliamentarians in the budget meeting of Parliament speaks for itself.

For the Prime Minister to maintain credibility, the Prime Minister has to stand up to the DP parliamentarians in this ongoing political showdown and tell them enough is enough with their irresponsible behavior. The Prime Minister should have never accepted her DP MPS's course of action which is detrimental to country St. Maarten and its people. If the Prime Minister does not stand up to her DP MPS in this political showdown, history will not treat her kindly. Both of her cabinets will go down in history as failures and the Prime Minister would have no others to blame but her two DP parliamentarians.

This whole ongoing political showdown is solely to be blame by the actions of the two DP parliamentarians and independent parliamentarian Romain Laville. Power and greed are the cause of this whole affair.

Todd Peterson

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 May 2013 02:06 )

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My Math is Fine, Mr. Gumbs.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 00:21 SMN NEWS TEAM
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First I want to thank you for taking the time to answer my article, a discussion with different opinions is always a healthy one. Now for my opinions on your comments.
In the first case, there is no need to change the words 'national ordinance' to 'Majority of the Council of Ministers'. Article 40 indicates 'National Ordinances and National Decrees shall be signed by the Governor and by one or more ministers'. Please note that the Article does not indicate 'Prime Minister' but 'one or more ministers'. So your conclusion is not correct.
Article 59 allows Council of Ministers to dissolve Parliament, even though you may not like it, that is part of the Constitution as well. We know that a vote in COM was taken to dissolve Parliament on the 7th of May. A vote that the Prime Minister is refusing to execute. She is refusing to do her job, which is also against the constitution.
A man is ultimately judged by his actions. My honor is very important to me. Since you are a Johnny Come Lately, you can ask around. I have publicly disagreed with positions of the National Alliance. The leadership of the party allows us to voice our opinion to full extent. I never quite understood why he was called a dictator as this label is truly underserved.
A few years ago, I had an exchange in the media with a good friend of mine when he had just returned from Holland. I used the term Johnny Come Lately with him as well, in the meantime he has been on the island for years now and has acclimatized to the island. You need some time to do the same. Now don't get me wrong, your heritage is not in question here.
As an experienced man in the area of Parliamentary procedures you should have been aware that the meeting held was not official and yet you let yourself be used as a pawn. Why would a man with your experience allow that. As I mentioned before, your actions seemed built on self-interest and not the needs of the people. Now I don't know you very well so I might be wrong.
The fact is, that the confusion caused right now is not William's fault, yet some people blaming him. He is called power hungry but has never offered money or blackmailed anyone to get in to Government, nor has he refused to do his job to stay as well. The real culprits are the 3 members of parliament and those in the background that for personal reasons broke the Government. Had there been a valid reason to show no confidence in the Ministers, I am sure it would be revealed by now. Not enough cohesion, and knocking on doors does not a valid reason make. De Weever even mentioned that he had no problem with the Government but yet he strangely supports sending them home.
In conclusion, if 3 members of parliament that represent less than 600 votes can throw down a government for absolutely no reason. I think it is good and valid for government to dissolve parliament. William on his own represents twice as much support than the 3. If you ask me, if the signature drive gets 1000 signatures, that's enough to call new elections since 600 can throw down government, 1000 can call early elections.

Kendall Dupersoy

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 May 2013 00:21 )

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