Philipsburg:--- Leader of the People's Progressive Party (PPA) Gracita Arrindell has officially resigned from the party on Thursday. SMN News learnt that the PPA leader met with members of the party on Wednesday to inform them of her decision to leave the PPA and join hands with the United People's Party (UP).
According to reliable information reaching SMN News Arrindell was hoping that the other board members of the PPA would have also resigned which would have paved the way for them to dissolve the party, but two of the members it is understood has refused to resign and as so far stated they would not be giving Arrindell their support.
SMN News also learnt Christopher Emanuel board member of the PPA is one of the candidates that have not resigned. The source said Emanuel has been discussing with both the UP and the National Alliance and he is yet to take a firm decision on which slate he would run. SMN News also learnt that Emanuel held some meetings with former island council member Lenny Priest who is also contemplating to form a new party.
A press released from Gracita Arrindell states that she has signed on as a member of the United People's Party (UP) that is led by caretaker commissioner Theodore Heyliger. Arrindell also called on the other members of the PPA to join her on the UP slate.
Arrindell said seven and a half years ago- on January 21, 2003- she was introduced to to the people of St. Maarten as the Founding Leader of the Peoples Progressive Alliance- the PPA, a brand new political party which was about to step into the political arena for the first time.
On that occasion, they announced that the PPA would be contesting the 2003 Island Council elections and we launched our election campaign stressing the theme,
"It's time for a change"
Arrindell said Sint Maarten has changed much since then, but regrettably, Sweet St. Maarten land has not witnessed the sort of positive change they had envisioned.
"Today, I stand before you, disappointed in the quality of governance to which St. Maarten has been subjected. However, I wish to assure you that I stand undaunted and unbowed and even more determined to help engineer the sort of transformational change needed in Sint Maarten as we prepare to embrace the challenges of a new constitutional status., In the company of family, friends, former candidates, members, supporters and well wishers, I stand before you and announce that after much soul- searching and much strategizing , I have decided to step down as Leader of the People's Progressive Alliance- the PPA." The press release states.
"Stepping down from the leadership of the party I have led and have helped to nurture has not been an easy decision to make, but I stand behind it fully confident in my belief that by stepping down and combining forces in a new endeavor We will be best able to rise to both the existing and the new challenges of the trying times ahead." The release continued.
Arrindell said while there are several factors prompting this decision, there is one overarching, clear and compelling reason: For the last several years, Sint Maarten has been on wobbly legs and in danger of collapsing under the pressure of unenlightened leadership. In different words, and we all know it, Sint Maarten is crying out for help. Sint Maarten is yearning for competent and enlightened leadership.
By combining resources with others who are also capable of providing the bold leadership needed, Sint Maarten's rescue would we assured.
Over the last several years, as PPA, we have been before voters on four occasions and while, given the resources at our disposal, we are very thankful- very grateful- for the support we have received, it is clear that we need to embrace new approaches, so that we may give the people what they need. We need to do so if we are to be involved in an integral way in the decision making process, so that we may improve lives, generally, but especially, improve the quality of lives of the ordinary man and ordinary women of Sint Maarten.
And so my dear people Today, with a heavy heart and clear conscience, I say thank you. I say a big Thanks to Mr. Don Hughes, founder of the PPA who had the vision and gave me the opportunity to lead the PPA, its board and our worthy candidates. I also wish to say special thanks from the depth of my heart to all our members, our supporters, our friends and families.
Together, we have left our indelible mark on the political landscape of Sint Maarten. As a small but formidable faction in the Island Council from 2003- 2007, we have raised the bar. We have been undisputable champions for what is right, what is fair, what is just.
Equally, we have been undisputable champions of three issues close our hearts, Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance- issues which will remain dear to us and which we shall continue to pursue relentlessly from within the UP party.
History has already shown –as in the case with the Government Administration Building, for example- that because we have been hardworking and diligent and always willing to do our homework, if they had paused and listened to us, the current wasteful/ expensive fiasco would have been avoided.
As I said before, it is now time for us to embrace new approaches in order to move forward with our agenda. The people's agenda. It is time to move on and to move UP for the greater good and for the betterment of our people of this sweet Sint Maarten Land.