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BLACK HOLE ON STATIA.

My science teacher in Phoenix once informed me that time, space and matter are absorbed within a black hole. But this principle does not hold true on Statia where a black hole has appeared in the accounts of the Island's Road Fund.
As I listened to the radio broadcast of last week's Island Council meeting, I could but only wonder if the Commissioner who is responsible for the Fund would resign. He promised to resign on an earlier occasion and failed to live up to such a promise.
He was nominated by independent Council member Millicent Lijfrock-Marsdin. And it is she that now insists that he should go. Her argument is simply that the Fund and other elements of the Commissioner's portfolio have not been managed efficiently. Why she appointed the hapless Commissioner in the first place and then decided to ditch him midterm is perhaps another story. Her explanation that a 'woman is allowed to change her mind' may now wash perfectly with the good citizens of Statia. But self-justification on the basis of gender may well be an issue come election time.
However, she is supported by the majority of island council members and for good reasons. Several weeks ago, accountants Price Waterhouse Cooper were instructed to review the accounts of the Road Fund. Their attempts to examine the books have been somewhat frustrated.
By his own admission, Commissioner Schmidt states that since the inception of the road fund, there has not been a dedicated administration. Moreover, the secretary who happens to be a relation has kept the administrative books. There was no bookkeeping and consequently no financial statements other than the basic documents such as bank statements, invoices etc.
The question quite naturally arises, who benefited from the Fund? In the absence of audited statements, the Island and Executive Councils have a clear duty to obtain a full account of the use and sources of a Fund it created in 2004.
The only supporting voice for Schmidt on the Council floor last week was Franklin Brown (PLP) whose cable laying business has benefited considerably from infrastructure development on the island.
Millicent Lijfrock-Marsdin has done well by taking a stand. Nevertheless, her voters might not appreciate Schmidt's replacement with her cousin if current rumors come to fruition.
But will the Commissioner do the right thing and resign? Science predicts that Space time will slow down at the very edge of a black hole. The same cannot be said for Schmidt's resignation. His clock is accelerating at warp speed. He promised to resign at the end of November and has not. Failure to honor this promise will prompt a constitutional crisis. A vote of no confidence will clearly place the coalition parties between a Golden Rock and a hard place.
My teacher hailed from Phoenix but nevertheless, all parties should now do the right thing to avoid anymore mythical beasts arising from the ashes.
Watch this Space!

Concerned Citizen

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