PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams told reporters on Monday afternoon at a press conference that she is of the opinion that the deal with Rainforest Adventure to develop the Emilio Wilson Park is a done deal. "I believe this government has placed their stamp of approval on the project. This is my opinion because there is a lot not said when questions are being posed to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs regarding this project, however, the people of St. Maarten has a right to know and they also need to know what will happen with the other piece of land that is there. As an MP from the Democratic Party fraction in parliament I intend to pose more questions on this issue on Tuesday when the draft 2015 budget debate begins."
When asked by SMN News if while she was the Prime Minister of St. Maarten and the Government of St. Maarten was negotiating the purchase of the Emilio Wilson Estate if any members of government met with the Rainforest developers, Wescot Williams said no one from her cabinet met with the Rainforest developers.
MP Wescot Williams also said that she will be asking some detailed questions about the Timeshare Legislation which government has been working on since the late 90's. Wescot Williams stated that there were two drafts sent to the Council of Advice and they responded to government by stating that the drafts of the legislation had to be written in the "Dutch Language" and not the English Language. Wescot Williams further explained that the reason the Council of Advice stressed on that was because the civil code had to be amended and it would not have made sense to have a part of the civil code in another language. She said that government tried a second time, by submitting the second draft in the English Language hoping that it could have been made a separate ordinance that would not require the amending of the civil code but that too did not work. Wescot Williams further explained that she intends to hold a meeting with Minister of TEATT Claret Conner on February 5th, 2015 to discuss how the Minister will move forward on this legislation.
Integrity of Parliament
Wescot Williams said another topic she intends to raise is the integrity of the Parliament of St. Maarten. The Democratic Party Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister said in October 2014 the Parliament of St. Maarten voted unanimously to reject the instruction issued by the Kingdom Council of Ministers to Governor Holiday on the matter of integrity. The Government of St. Maarten was also mandated to have a plan of approach on how they will deal with the matters of integrity as outlined the various reports, namely the PWC, Witt and Samson. Those reports clearly indicated that the Parliament of St. Maarten had inadequate oversight and therefore there was a need to have a body that will register gifts, side jobs, and other incompatible functions.
Wescot Williams said she also intends to follow up on the questions she and two members of the National Alliance sent to the Harbor Group of Companies asking that they provide answers to specific questions. She said the three persons that signed the letter wants to know the exact cost of the Causeway and the Turn over Tax, the exact cost to host the FCCA conference in St. Maarten, the head tax, the situation with the Dehers and the Harbor Group of Companies, the issue of the crane as to who purchased it and from where, government dividends.
Another fact that MP Wescot Williams stressed is the Parliament of St. Maarten wants a forensic investigation conducted at the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF).
When asked what is her opinion on the Counterpart policy that is now played in the media, Wescot Williams said that when the UPP signed their governing agreement they mentioned that the Counterpart policy was ready for publication, she said MP Cornelius de Weever used that policy as an excuse to break the first coalition and they mentioned in their agreement that the policy was ready for publication. "Today you are hearing that the policy will be introduced during the 3rd quarter of 2015. Wescot Williams also mentioned that in August 2014 former Minister of Labor Cornelius de Weever presented a draft project that he said would have been used as a pilot project which the Council of Ministers approved. She said back then the former Minister said they had businesses from the private sector that were willing to work with them. Wescot Willians said when she meet with the Minister of TEATT Claret Conner she intends to ask him for his view on this policy which is already on the books and how it will affect the economy and private sector.
