PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Louie Laveist informed Minister of VROMI Maurice Lake that he violated good governance when he single handedly purchased the Vorst property for $495.00 per square meter.
Laveist also made clear that a house divided cannot rule because it is clear that the SWW-3 cabinet is having problems. He also said that he will not allow Ministers to insult him or throw him under the bus while on the floor of parliament. Laveist made his statements after Minister Maurice Lake openly attacked his coalition partners in government while making his presentation on the purchase of the Vorst property on Monday. Laveist asked the Minister of VROMI to provide parliament with the appraisal reports he has in his possession, he also asked the Minister to explain the Members of Parliament what is it he is discussing with the Vorst family since he told parliament that he is proud to have saved government monies when he purchased the 11.129m2 of land for a whopping $5.5 million dollars.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin and Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson corrected the Minister of VROMI who told parliament that he executed a letter of intent that was signed by the former Minister of Justice Roland Duncan, whom Minister Lake said drafted the letter during the year National Alliance led government. Both Marlin and Richardson said that the discussions with Vorst family started when SWW-1 cabinet was in power with the former Minister of Justice Roland Duncan who was appointed by an Independent Member of Parliament. Marlin insisted that Minister Duncan was not appointed by the National Alliance, furthermore the Minister should not go to Parliament and mislead the people. Marlin further stated that based on the purchase agreement article 7-1 stated that the Minister had all the relevant documents to execute the sale, yet he told parliament on Monday that he needed a national decree from the Governor for the financing of the purchase. Marlin said based on the Minister's statement and what is written there are discrepancies. "The Minister said he signed the agreement in February 2014 yet the purchase agreement clearly stated that the purchase of the property was done on October 2nd 2013." Marlin said when Minister Lake took office he did everything possible to overturn several decisions he (Marlin) took, but somehow he did not do the same with the purchase of the Vorst property. He further stated the draft lease agreement that Minister Lake is using was done by the former Minister of Justice Roland Duncan. "Here you have the Minister of VROMI took it upon himself to execute something that the former Minister of Justice initiated."
Minister Lake told parliament that he believes that government was about continuity and he only executed something that started prior to him taking office. He further told parliament that he is of the opinion that he saved the people of St. Maarten as well as government monies when he chose to deviate from the lease agreement and entered into a purchase agreement. Minister Lake made reference to a statement the Prime Minister made last week when she said during the weekly press briefing that the Supervisory Board of SMMC did not attend a meeting to discuss the state of affairs of the St. Maarten Medical Center. He said he too has been going around in circles with his coalition partners. Minister Lake further stated that Members of the Democratic Party faction are telling him one thing in front of his face but they are backstabbing him in order to prevent him from doing his work. Minister Lake said that he purchased the Vorst property to build social homes that are badly needed. He said that he allocated 3.3 million dollars in the capital expenditure in 2014 budget for the first payment and the other $2.5 million would have been in 2015 budget. Minister Lake said that he did not find anything to show that the Council of Ministers disagreed with the plans of the former Minister of Justice Roland Duncan who wanted to lease the property for Justice Park project he was working on.
He also said that while the former Minister was discussing with the Vorst family he informed the Council of Ministers as well as Parliament. Marlin said that he also want the Minister to provide parliament with the appraisal reports since he was made to understand that there are two appraisal reports available. He said he also wants to know what the Minister and the Vorst family are discussing. "Are you discussing an increase in the price?" While MP Frans Richardson said that with this purchase they skyrocketed the price of real estate. MP Richardson said that government started a trend by increasing the price for land and soon enough the private sector will follow the same trend and people on St. Maarten will not be able to buy land or build their own homes. He asked the Minister how many homes he thinks he could build on that property and what could be the final cost after the infrastructure is completed.
Member of Parliament Romaine Laville also expressed his disgust about the Minister's action when he purchased the property without informing Parliament. Laville flagged the Minister of VROMI and even read the letter of intent that was signed by former Minister Duncan who clearly ensured that government was protected. He asked who will shoulder the expenses for the development of the property. Laville asked how many homes the Minister expects to build and how much he expects to rent these low income homes for when they are completed. "Based on the pricing, the good Minister of VROMI felt it necessary to dip into to the Minister of Justice's portfolio then he should dip into the other Ministries to create work for the people of St. Maarten." Laville said right now government is spending money wildly without prioritizing what is important for the people of St. Maarten. "As far as I am concerned this is a waste of money." Laville made clear that he cannot support the purchase of the property. He called on the Minister of VROMI to deal with the social issues that are affecting the people. "Today they are coming with baseball bat tomorrow they will come with something else." He told the Minister he does not know how he will deal with the purchase agreement, he said he felt that the current government feels good to be on the steps of the court house every Monday morning. "When the proverbial shots are fired I do not want to be on St. Maarten because I know that the people (young people) are waiting on the politicians to come into their districts to campaign. Helmin Wiels did not know he would not have been here today neither did the Minister of Finance of Curacao knew people were going to into his yard to try to assassinate him. Minister I want you to know that is coming to St. Maarten."
"I am telling you that they are waiting on us because we have not done anything for them during this four year period. This will be my last two months in government but I intend to continue to speak out in the future."
Member of Parliament Roy Marlin said that the remarks made by the Minister about the Democratic Party is certainly not appreciated. However, the Minister is within his rights to say what he wants. Marlin explained that on Thursday last week they held a coalition meeting. He said during that meeting Minister Lake told him that they are friends and he felt that MP Roy Marlin should have gone to him instead of making a statement in the media.
Marlin in his presentation said that he also sent an email to Minister Lake and asked him if he could justify his actions on the purchase price. Marlin said he basically prepared the Minister for what is expected of him during the budget meeting. He said that the Democratic Party is living in the past and if they want to continue with collective decision then they should give up their status and go back to the old system. Marlin said that he should be last person any one should attack on laws of the country. He said that what Minister Lake did took away the budget rights of parliament by signing an agreement where he committed government to another $2.5 million for 2015. He asked the Minister to explain the budget rights to parliament because he told parliament that he acted in accordance of the law. Marlin said that Minister Lake cannot correlate the lease agreement with his purchase agreement because they are 'two horses' of a different color. "As far as I am concerned the statement about saving people and government monies is through the door." Marlin asked the Minister to provide parliament with the advice given by VROMI and the Minister of Finance. He also asked for the communications between the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation. MP Roy Marlin clearly indicated that he intends to present a motion to Parliament where he will be asking that the Council of Ministers strengthen the rules of order of the COM in order to prevent these types of actions. Marlin said Ministers are abusing their power by doing things through Ministerial decree instead of Landsbesluit. He said this is done because these Ministers do not want to answer to the Governor or the Members of Parliament.
Member of Parliament Hyacinth Richardson sent some jabs saying that the "UP" is just want it is. Since the UP cost of living went UP now its land. He said Minister Lake accused former Minister of VROMI for several things but today he seems unconcerned about his own actions.