PHILIPSBURG:--- The UP Party Board as well as the UP family and supporters says that UP President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell has handled herself very well in a professional and non-bias manner when applying the Rules of Order during parliamentary sessions.
Secondly, President Arrindell has restored integrity to the House of Parliament after the National Alliance (NA) made a mockery of the country with its so-called Mexican standoff whereby the country became the laughing stock of the region and the world.
The UP Party Board is responding to the rant of NA MP Louie Laveist on Monday who accused President Arrindell of violating the Rules of Order.
The House of Parliament and by extension the people were held hostage for several weeks when the former NA President of Parliament R. Samuel refused to relinquish his position after a new parliamentary majority was formed. Samuel also refused to hold parliamentary sessions that were called for by the new parliamentary majority, a serious transgression of the Rules of Order.
The people of Sint Maarten have not forgotten that dark period in the political and constitutional history of the country where the NA made a mockery of the country's parliamentary democracy.
MP Laveist made reference to a meeting of the House related to the Airport that was held recently where according to him it was "called off for unknown reasons to us." That is untrue, as all MPs received a letter stating that Minister Hon. Thaddeus Richardson had requested more time in order to gather information that MPs had requested in an earlier session of the House.
MP Louie Laviest should be more transparent in his disclosures. MP Laveist should tell the people of Sint Maarten why the NA cancelled the Emilio Wilson Estate meeting that his parliamentary faction had requested approximately 90 minutes before it was to start last week Wednesday without giving any reasons why they cancelled the meeting. Minister Hon. Maurice Lake was looking forward to informing the people and the House of Parliament with respect to developments related to the Emilio Wilson Estate.
The President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell, a strong woman in our community, has restored honour to the House after the NA and its former President of Parliament R. Samuel tarnished and trampled upon the democratic principles of the country and the Constitution.
Democracy in Sint Maarten is well and alive and the people's business is being handled in a professional and unbiased manner according to the Rules of Order of the House.
United People's Party Board
