Philipsburg: --- The members and candidates of the National Alliance can fairly say they were the best looking team on Wednesday when the marched from Parliament Building around the block to the government administration building to submit their list of candidates to the main voting bureau for the September 17 election. The supporters and members of the National Alliance rallied through the street carrying a white balloon as they marched behind the party leader, deputy leader and the other candidates currently in the island council. Among them was island council man Louie Laveist the number 9 candidate on the NA slate.
It was clear that the National Alliance did not have difficulty finding people that would meet the criteria for this election, they also made sure the selected candidates running for public office has what it takes to be in government. Among them are seasoned politicians, doctors, the head of the census office, a candidate with a degree in criminal justice. The supporters of the National Alliance sang to the drum beat and shouted "follow the white line". The list of candidates was presented to the chairman of the main voting bureau by Henrietta Doran York the number 6th candidate on the National Alliance slate. After the list was presented and accepted the supporters of the National Alliance began whistling and screaming in the building signaling they are ready. They were asked who the winning team is and in an overwhelming the response was the National Alliance.Deputy leader of the National Alliance Frans Richardson was overheard telling the chairman that he was signing off on the winning slate, and that each of his signatures meant 3 seats for the National Alliance.
Leader of the National Alliance and leader of government William Marlin told reporters that the National Alliance presented the winning slate and they would be having an all out victory which would give the National Alliance the mandate to govern for the next four years, to continue the process St. Maarten is currently on to become country. "We are confident that we will have the support of the electorate on St. Maarten on September 17th, our team is one that reflects the people of St. Maarten but also has the experience and knowledge necessary to run country St. Maarten. Marlin said the September 17 election is a serious election, "it is not only about voting but it is about electing a set of people that are serious and most importantly competent that will form the first parliament of St. Maarten out of which they would get the government." Marlin said St. Maarten still has a lot of work to do in terms of putting the necessary institutions in place and transforming the island territory to country. He said the voters will be able to identify with the candidates on the list which was created for the people and by the people. The National Alliance list comprises of a blend of candidates that are experienced. Marlin said he personally has been a member of the island council for the past 24 years consecutively. Marlin said the list has a wealth of new candidates that has the experience and education necessary to govern St. Maarten. Marlin said Louie Laviest is running with the National Alliance despite the efforts made by the other party for him to throw down government and the offers made to him. Asked about Narda de Windt whose photograph is in another party advertisement Marlin said that there are several of his candidates who openly said they were in discussion with the UP and the DP yet they signed his list and is running on the National Alliance slate.
Furthermore, Marlin said that up to Tuesday night the two other parties the UP and DP were busy calling members of the island council from the National Alliance making huge offers to them to join their party. "This is politics and people cannot go by what was instead they have go by what it is. Asked if De Windt is in some sort of situation that they took advantage of as alleged by the Democratic Party leader, Marlin said he will not engage in gossip but if the DP failed to secure the candidate's confidence then they need to take responsibility for it and not blame another party. Marlin said his number 22 candidate Jean Boasman was asked by both the UP and the DP and he declined. Marlin said he has posters designed for candidates that are now on the UP party and he will not cry over spilt milk. He said all three of the major parties contesting this election has a slate and that should be the focus of this election.Asked if having Laveist on the list would not create problems for the National Alliance Marlin said the law allows Laveist to be a member of the island council and even a commissioner. He said every man is innocent until proven guilty and Laveist is still fighting his legal battles in the court of law.
UP Slate
The United People's Party led by caretaker commissioner Theo Heyliger, his candidates and supporters braved the early morning sun on Wednesday to submit their list to the chairman of the main voting bureau. The UP leader and his supporters had to wait for almost half an hour before they could have submitted the list of candidates that will be contesting the September 17 elections. The UP candidates began gathering at the Great Bay Sonesta Hotel at 8 am. They began marching through Front Street chanting UP, UP all the way until they reached the government administration building. Commissioner Theo Heyliger went over to the statue of the late Dr. Claude Wathey and touched it before moving towards the stairs of the AC Wathey Legislative Hall.
The lists of candidates and the request of the party's color was prepared by Joe Richardson advisor to Heyliger, prior to handing over the folder to Heyliger, Richardson said "commissioner I have worked very hard in preparing your list of candidates and I trust that I did not let you down." Commissioner Heyliger in his brief address to Acting Lt. Governor and chairman of main voting bureau said "Governor Groenevelt I would like to present you on behalf of the family of St. Maarten the United Peoples Party the winning slate the United People's Party slate." The chairman after verifying the list said he wishes the leader and his candidates all the best for the upcoming elections and he would be looking forward to the contributions and participation in building country St. Maarten.
Speaking to reporters shortly after submitting his list Heyliger said the board and members of his party was waiting for a long time on postulation day. He said they worked really hard to submit the list with 23 candidates, none of which are appearing on anyone else's list. Asked how confident he is especially since most of his candidates are new, Heyliger said everyone started out new at some point. He made reference to when he ran in 1995 everyone was asking what was that "little boy" going to do for government, but he is there for the past 15 years. 
On the UP slate, three of the 23 candidates are persons who ran in elections previously. They are Theo Heyliger, Gracita Arrindell and Johan Janchi Leonard. Heyliger said he confident that his "young team will bring new country St Maarten forward." Heyliger said he will soon present the UP manifesto and the critical issues affecting St. Maarten. However, the main focus will be on public housing, education, and fighting crime on St. Maarten.Low Turnout for Democratic Party ---Sarah Says she is Confident.
The second political party to submit their list on Wednesday was the Democratic Party led by island councilmember Sarah Wescot Williams. The candidates, members and supporters of the long time party were scheduled to meet by the cemetery next to the Methodist Church on Front Street at 1pm. However, board members, and the candidates of the DP seemed disappointed when just a handful of people showed up to support them.Just about 1:20pm the Democratic Party leader felt that they were unable to march through Front Street as planned claiming the sun was too hot. A bus was called to the scene to transport the DP supporters and candidate to the government administration building. The bus took over an hour to reach its destination. SMN News later learnt that the bus was also used to pick up people from different locations before heading to the administration building.
At the government administration building the supporters of the DP was significantly lower as compared to the past years. Even though smaller in number the crowd screamed out DP, DP as they entered the AC Legislative Hall as they showed support for their party and its leader, as well as the 23 candidates that will be contesting the elections.
Party leader Sarah Wescot Williams surrounded by her candidates including members of the DP board gathered around her as she addressed the chairman of the main voting bureau. Wescot Williams in her address said she is extremely honored to present the list of candidates of the Democratic Party of St. Maarten that will be participating in the September 17 elections. "I am extremely proud of the other 22 candidates who join her to vying for political office with a strong commitment to represent St. Maarten and its people. We do this at this time in history convinced that if they look around today and see what is happening especially with the current government, they believe that the people of St. Maarten deserves better and with that conviction she is presenting the list of candidates on the Democratic Party slate. Governor Groeneveldt that it is his privilege and honor to accept the list of candidates that are going to take part in the upcoming elections, Groeneveldt also wished the candidate well with much success and God's guidance and he knows for sure that all persons who are taking part in this election is doing it with the interest of St. Maarten at heart.
Shortly after submitting the list Wescot Williams told reporters that the presentation of the Democratic Party list signifies the start of a very short campaign. Wescot Williams said that she and the rest of the candidates on the DP slate are quite confident that with the platform that they intend to present to the people also with the commitment and dedication they will turn things around on St. Maarten. She further explained as they look around on St, Maarten and listen to the people on the street then they need to be in the election of September 17 because it is her opinion that the people deserves better.
Wescot Williams said she will be presenting her party platform in next couple of days, "right now it is available digitally but the print copies are not yet here." The Democratic Party leader said if they are elected they would be continuing the governing program they had in place for 2007 -2011. She said the DP is still one year away from their 4-year term and as such there are still things they must do based on their governing program. "As country St. Maarten we will be taking on new responsibilities in the area of crime, immigration, legislation in the area of education and health and labor." The highlight she said is to complete the programs they started. She said while the NA/Heyliger/Laveist government has tried to execute the program of the Democratic Party they have not been successful at doing it.Asked about the candidate she has on her slate and is on the National Alliance slate, Wescot Williams said the DP has a full slate of 23 candidates. The DP leader said postulation day is about her and her 22 candidates that are on their list but her party intends to address the situation with the candidate that is on more than one list. Wescot Williams said that the candidate who is on the National Alliance list Narda de Windt is not on their slate, she was replaced by Melvin Gomez. Wescot Williams said it is rather regretful that a political party would take the hardship of people and use it as a pawn. She stressed that her party will be addressing this issue at a later date. Asked about the size of her crowd which is smaller than the previous years, Wescot Williams said she believes the people could not take the sun, while some of them did not make it to the government building. She said even though small her people are enthusiastic and upbeat.
In the meantime, leader of the Concordia Political Alliance Jeffry Richardson showed courage, and strength when he went to the main voting bureau and presented his slate. Jeffry is the lone soldier on the CPA slate. When SMN News contacted Jeffry on Wednesday to know exactly what time he was going to submit his list he said he was at the census office regulating his paper work. Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt confirmed that Jeffry was the only candidate on the CPA slate.
