Laveist had sent in a notification to the island secretariat stating that he would not be attending the meeting but showed up after he was not able to follow the proceeding on television. Laveist made clear that he was not pointing fingers at anyone for the technical difficulties encountered but cautioned that democracy must be upheld and the people has every right to know what is taking place in government during these critical days when country status is being finalized. "The people of St. Maarten deserved to be informed especially when their representatives are holding meetings. He felt Wednesday's meeting is of great importance since they were discussing SLA's for country St. Maarten. St. Maarten is at the most critical stage and the people must be informed in a timely fashion." Laveist said even though St. Maarten has the necessary manpower and equipments to ensure live broadcast the island is worst off than the third world countries. The embattled councilman said he does not intend to throw anyone under the bus because he does understand that there can be technical problems but finds it a pity that the people cannot be informed in a timely manner.
He also made clear that he had sounded the alarm before on democracy and hoped with his public statements during Wednesday's island council meeting would prompt those responsible for the live broadcast to fix the technical problems.
The council member who also supported the current executive council said he too wants to know if the National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laveist executive council has signed off on any Service Level Agreements (SLA) without his knowledge or that of the island council. Laveist asked that if there was such a signed agreement then the executive council must provide copies and a comprehensive overview of it to him as well as letting him know what types of expenses St. Maarten would encounter for the services they agreed for someone else to provide to St. Maarten. He said it is extremely important that this type of information be provided to every island council member. He also wants to know what would be the financial consequences to St. Maarten through the SLA's.
Laveist also called on the council to tell him what type of agreement St. Maarten is going to make with the Central Bank and what are they going to do with the 1% foreign exchange tax. The island councilman said he wants to know if St. Maarten intends to maintain this tax uninterrupted. He said the 1% foreign exchange tax is like a pebble in the people's eyes and this tax is hurting the island's economy. Laveist said he felt Wednesday's meeting was needed since it would shed light on the agreements and how St. Maarten would carry the extra burden.
The island councilman said it was stated that the revenues that are currently collected and sent to Curacao now would remain on St. Maarten when the island receives its status change.
Laveist also said he was the one who rallied the people of St. Maarten to vote for a status change and Leroy De Weever joined in the campaign. He said what St. Maarten is getting today is not what he voted for and if there were another referendum he would not vote for country status, instead it would be independence.
Laveist also made reference to his legal battles and how he is coping prior to closing off his statements.
