PHILIPSBURG: --- Reliable sources within the Prime Minister's cabinet disclosed that the owner of M&M PR and Marketing Consultancy Michael Granger has submitted a letter of resignation to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on Friday. According to information SMN News gathered is that Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told Granger that he had to choose between working for his cabinet and being the President of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF). Prime Gumbs it is understood made it abundantly clear to Granger that he could not hold both positions.
The source said that Prime Minister Gumbs felt that having someone in his cabinet that is heading a foundation that receives subsidy from government would not give a good image to the country especially knowing the Kingdom is bearing down its eyes on St. Maarten with integrity issues, this of course would have created a conflict of interest. SMN News further learnt that this issue between the Prime Minister and Granger has been un-going for quite a few weeks now. SMN News further learnt that Prime Minister Gumbs did not appreciate the way Granger was speaking to people and they were also getting concerned as to the amount of monies government was paying M&M for its services. While it was rumored and debated that Granger and his company was receiving over NAF. 80,000. 00 a month for his service. The latter was debated on Facebook which Granger refuted.
It should be noted that Granger uses his company M&M PR Marketing to market SCDF and other functions for government.
In an invited comment Michael Granger confirmed that he submitted his letter of resignation last week which will become effective as of March 31st 2015. Granger said he felt that his company has completed its tasks which is to set up the "Press Secretariat." Granger said that he already submitted his initial report to the Prime Minister informing him that the Press Secretariat is set up and fully operational. "I did not take that job to stay in the Prime Minister's cabinet my focus was to create the press secretariat and then go back to doing the things I love which is Teen Times and manage SCDF."
Asked if he eliminated the first prize from for carnival troupes for 2015 Granger denied that saying all prizes for carnival remains the same. Also when asked if the troupe leaders from 2014 received their prizes for 2014 carnival knowing that carnival on St. Maarten is just about two months away. Granger said he was in contact with everyone that was not paid in 2014 and he assured them that they will all be paid what is due to them this year. "2014 was very challenging for SCDF when it comes to getting sponsors, but this year things look much brighter because government will contribute to 2015 carnival and with that the troupes that were not paid in 2014 will be paid this year."
