Lets Move a Step Forward
PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams called on all Members of Parliament to improve the image and perception of St. Maarten's Parliament which she said has been criticized.
Wescot Williams said that on November 5th, 2014 a central committee meeting of Parliament could not be held due to a lack of quorum, she further stated that when it comes to dealing with legislations from government Members of Parliament should put aside their political differences and deal with the legislations in order to send back a report to the government. Wescot William also called on the Ministers that are sending these legislations to Parliament to ensure they have sufficient support in Parliament prior to sending over the legislations for Parliament to deal with. When asked why there was a lack of quorum when the current coalition has a two third majority in Parliament. The chairlady of Parliament said that some of the MPs supporting the coalition did not attend the meeting on November 5th, 2014. She did say that those that did not attend sent in notices of their absence because they were off island or had other matters to deal with. When asked by SMN News if she discussed her concerns with the faction leaders, Wescot Williams said she did not do so as yet but intends to do that in their next meeting. She also made clear that this is not the first time she addressed Parliament on this matter because while being Prime Minister she penned a letter to the Parliament of St. Maarten informing them of her concerns.
"It's time that we move a step forward because the functioning of Parliament was also mentioned in the PWC Integrity Report. Right now government wants to make a presentation to Parliament on the "Water Master Plan" while parliament has to meet discuss the new pension age.'
Wescot Williams said while the meetings of Parliament are public there are a number of things that takes place in Parliament and she believes that the people should know what is happening in Parliament. She said on October 31st, 2014 a Master Class was held at Westin on public finances. This class was coordinated by the General Audit Chamber and SOAB, the theme for that class which she used "New Parliament with Dynamic Challenges and Opportunities." Wescot Williams said besides being the chairlady of Parliament and Prime Minister she is also on two other committees which is the Presidium of Parliament and the Faction Leaders Committee. When asked if the Parliament of St. Maarten was not functioning optimally during the last four years since she mentioned that there is a backlog of meetings that has to be scheduled and finalized, Wescot Williams said she is not the one to say that but what she can say that the image and perception of the Parliament of St. Maarten were heavily criticized and it is even mentioned in the PWC integrity report.
Wescot Williams also gave an overview of the other committees which she said has to be established, those are the Adhoc Committee and the Permanent Committee of Parliament. Her main goal right now is to get the Permanent Committee up and running because this committee has to deal with how they will move forward with Parlatino since St. Maarten is a member of Parlatino. The newly installed chairlady of Parliament also made clear that the Members of Parliament that are also Ministers do not receive two salaries. "What I want to make clear is that the Ministers that are Members of Parliament do not receive two salaries so let me put that to rest once and for all."
Three MPs Call for Meeting to Discuss Election Day Hiccups.
Wescot Williams said she recently received a request that was submitted by three members from the coalition requesting that a public meeting be held to discuss some of the things that transpired at several voting bureaus and the civil registry on Election Day (August 29th, 2014). Wescot Williams said the request was submitted by MP Leona Marlin Romeo, MP Tamara Leonard and MP Cornelius de Weever. When asked what are some of the concerns that the three MPs indicated in their request, Wescot Williams said persons trying to use foreign identification cards to vote and issues surrounding ballots. That meeting she said will be scheduled within the next 14 days.
On the political front the President and Prime Minister said that so far the Governor of St. Maarten did not indicate publicly which screening procedures he will use to screen Ministers. She said she simply could not say when the Ministers will be sworn in and the current Council of Ministers has already submitted their resignations to the Governor. Wescot Williams said that even though the law allows them to hold their positions for at least three months it is not a desirable situation for St. Maarten.
French and Dutch under Pressure --- Oyster Pond Issue on the Front Burner.
The President and Prime Minister also indicated to reporters that the relationship between the French and the Dutch side is under pressure due to some issues raised recently, such as the Oyster Pond border issue. Wescot Williams assured that despite the pressure on both governments, none of the issues at hand are issues the two governments cannot handle. When asked if the current situation will hamper the St. Maarten Day celebration which will be hosted on the French side this year, Wescot Williams said that is not the case at all. She said that the St. Maarten Day celebration will take place as usual and this year it will be hosted by the French side because St. Maarten/ St. Martin will not allow anyone to destroy what they have kept together for centuries.
