Philipsburg: --- Members of the executive council and the relatives of the late Dr. Claude Wathey boycotted the 12th annual wreath laying ceremony organized by the Democratic Party on Saturday.
Deputy Leader of the Democratic Party Erno Labega said that it's a pity these persons who were part of the ceremony for the past years did not show up to lay their wreaths that were at hand. Wreaths were laid by the President and Leader of the Democratic Party, the University of St. Martin, the AC Wathey Political Awareness Foundation and the Democratic Party Youth Wing. The wreath that is normally laid on behalf of the executive council over the years was done by Commissioner Theo Heyliger, grandson of the late Dr. Claude Wathey, but Heyliger did not show up for the event on Saturday morning.
In an invited comment after the ceremony leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescott Williams said parties that are normally part of the ceremony are the executive council, the foundation, the USM, the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party Youth Wing. She said they had expected that the same pattern of the past twelve years would have been followed and it is a pity that the members of government did not show up because over the past years they have always honored the legacy of the late Dr. Claude Wathey despite the composition of government. Wescot Williams said despite the no show from several persons the Democratic Party are humbled at being able to recognize the late Wathey on his birthday.
Also looking on at the brief ceremony was Senator Will Johnson from Saba who bluntly refused to part take in a photo shoot with members and supporters of the Democratic Party around his statue. When asked by Erno Labega to join them in taking the photo Johnson said he will be there later in the afternoon supporting commissioner Theo Heyliger who would laying a wreath during the afternoon hours prior to launching his own political party.
Johnson told reporters that he is on St. Maarten to support Commissioner Theo Heyliger. He said he likes Heyliger even though they have their differences about GEBE. "Heyliger has never denied his heritage because he has linage from Saba. I would like to see what Theo will do in this election on his own because for year's people thought he would have been the natural successor and leader of the Democratic Party." Johnson further said he believes Heyliger will do well in the election even though he has some controversial ways of doing business. He said despite Heyliger's business attitude he has done some good things in moving St. Maarten forward especially with his beautification projects. "Let's say I am not only supporting his endeavors but I am an interested onlooker since he is partly my countryman."