PHILIPSBURG:--- The Parliament of St. Maarten on Wednesday granted Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs time to host his informal "Meet & Greet" event at Parliament house, where he stressed to MP's present that civility should be observed despite parties having their roles to play as part of St. Maarten's constitutional democracy.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by the President of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson and proceeded thereafter to introduce members of his cabinet to the MP's present. He paid special attention to the two newcomers serving in the either branches of government, Minister Claret Connor and Minister Rita Bourne-Gumbs. Likewise, President Richardson introduced the MP's to the Ministers and spoke briefly about their respective backgrounds.
Prime Minister Gumbs explained that high levels of stress and tension are evident in society today. He said though government and Parliament will not be able to solve all of the problems one time and will have differences, he thought it important that these two bodies come together in an informal, relaxed manner with each other.
He said is several countries it was the norm for Parliament and government to get together informally prior to the official working period, adding that he embraced this approach to speak to MP's "because we shouldn't have to simply talk to each other via the press."
"Of course we all have our roles to play in our democracy, but the hostility and stress displayed is transmitted to the population perhaps without us even knowing it. If we want to improve society we must do so by showing a good example with civility among each other. Let's start raising the bar with ourselves. It will trickle down to the community. It may take some time, but we can get there," the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Gumbs has acknowledged on several occasions that 2015 brings many challenges for St. Maarten and its people but these challenges can be successfully met with, among other things, civility, stability and tranquility which will eventually lead to prosperity.
