~How did Ferrier pass the screening done by VDSM?~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Former Minister of Finance Michael Ferrier whom it is alleged threatened Minister of VROMI Miklos Giterson after the Minister penned the company a letter informing them that their long lease will not be renewed due to non-payment of the long lease dues has also not paid the three families that the Shipyard is leasing land from.
SMN News has been reliably informed that the families are taking Ferrier and his business partner Jeff Boyd (SXM SHIPYARD NV) to court for the non-payment of rental lease. "Ferrier and his business partner defaulted in their payment for years". The source said the Shipyard did not pay the families their rent for several years and they are now approaching the courts to obtain what is due to them.
According to Ferrier’s statement, he acknowledged that the Shipyard is leasing land from three families that obtained long lease land from the Government of St. Maarten while the Shipyard also obtained land from Government. What Ferrier did not mention in his statement is the fact he did not pay the families he referred to in his statement on Sunday.
While Ferrier admitted he owes the Government of St. Maarten NAF.1.4M for the land the Shipyard is occupying the question on the minds of several persons is how did he pass the screening to hold a Ministerial post while several persons such as MP Frankie Meyers, Dennis Richards, and Rita Bourne Gumbs were sniffed out for unpaid taxes. The latter Richardson and Bourne- Gumbs had to take loans and or made payment plans before they were allowed to be sworn in as Ministers.
One must ask if Ferrier reported his debt on his evaluation form or if the head of VDSM Jerome Beeldsnijder did Ferrier a special favor since they both go way back to Suriname. Several persons who failed the screening process have over the years questioned the screening done by VDSM and if they have been picking and choosing how they screen the candidates depending on who they are or fits in the St. Maarten community.
