Philipsburg:--- Members of Parliament of St. Maarten ripped each other apart when they were discussing and approving the travel expenses of the President of Parliament Rudolph Samuel and his partner to travel to the Netherlands to attend a dinner based on an invitation that was extended to the President of Parliament and his partner to attend a dinner for the crowning of the King. The invitation was sent to the President of Parliament by Queen Beatrix.
Member of Parliament Johan Janchi Leonard in his statements said that he does not think that St. Maarten politicians should travel to the Netherlands at this time because every politician on St. Maarten is being looked at as corrupt. Leonard said that if he is paid twice to go to the Netherlands he will not go because he is not a corrupt politician. Even though a copy of the invitation sent to the President of Parliament was given out, MP Leonard said he wants to know where the "partner" come in and why Parliament had to pay the cost of the President's wife to attend the dinner. "In this Parliament, we have a convicted Parliamentarian and one who might soon get convicted, allegedly." Leonard made his statements after Member of Parliament Sylvia Meyers tried to add one more point to the second agenda point by asking that the Parliament of St. Maarten allow more people to travel to the Netherlands to witness the crowning of King Willem Alexander. However, MP Meyers withdrew her statements when she realized that it was not proper to add anything to the agenda point. MP Gracita Arrindell in her statements said that they discussed this matter behind closed doors and they all know what took place. Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson let the cat out of the bag when he said that the UP faction wanted MP Gracita Arrindell to be part of the delegation even though the invitation to Parliament was very specific. MP Richardson who was obviously disgusted with the statements said that the game playing from the UP faction needs to stop now because every time the UP gets the opportunity they want members from their faction to travel and the MP from that faction is always MP Gracita Arrindell. "This game playing has to stop and it must stop now, those who have the experience need to teach their colleagues and other members of their faction how to behave and how to add addendums to agenda points. I think the public has to be aware of this. I will call a press conference to shed light on some of the issues that are happening in Parliament because we simply don't need this kind of thing. This meeting today is about an invitation that came from the Kingdom to you Mr. Chairman and your other half to travel for the occasion. We are here talking about your spouse, where is the respect. How low are we going to go, the reason we are being blacklisted is because of the behavior of some of the MPs. One of the members who was Chairman of Parliament is now sitting among them and refuses to teach and educate the other members of their faction. Instead, they continue to embarrass Parliament day by day. They make their outburst and then run through the door and make the smoke screen about the "Dutch". MP Richardson said the agenda point that was discussed was to approve the travel expenses for the Chairman of Parliament and his spouse to travel based on an invitation from the Kingdom. The three persons from Parliament is the Chairman Rudolph Samuel, his wife along with the griffier of Parliament. MP Louis Laviest said that the show in Parliament on Thursday was simply because their members are not allowed to travel. Laveist said that the UP Leader and his members think they can do what they want. Laveist said that everyone knows he was convicted and he talks about it openly but the MP that tried to smear him should remember that he has children and grandchildren and those that are without sin should cast the first stone. Laveist said that every one of them knows who want to go to the Netherlands at the expense of Parliament but that person is using the rookies in their faction to do the dirty work for them. "It's like throwing stones and they are hiding your hands." Laveist said he will speak out about the issues at a press conference and they will inform the people exactly who is embarrassing the Parliament of St. Maarten. "I support the agenda point, I approve it. The UP faction did not get an invitation and I don't see anyone of them in here married to you, the invitation is for you and your wife and if they cannot accept that then tough luck."
The Parliament of St. Maarten also approved the travelling expenses of three Members of Parliament to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles, Miguel Pourier. The three persons from Parliament to attend the funeral of former PM Miguel Pourier are the Chairman Rudolph Samuel, MP Romain LaVille, and MP Gracita Arrindell.
