Philipsburg:--- An official agreement has been signed between the National Alliance and the Independent Members of Parliament Patrick Illidge, Frans Richardson, and United Peoples Party faction leader Romaine La Ville. According to well placed sources, La Ville will deliver his letter of resignation to the UP leader Theodore Heyliger on Sunday and a copy will also be given to the Chairlady of Parliament. However, SMN News learnt that the Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell left the island on Friday for Washington DC.
The political agreement was signed shortly after 7pm Saturday evening at the Parliament Building where the Members of the National Alliance faction met with the three Members of Parliament who made an unofficial statement early Saturday morning at the Festival Village during the Calypso finals.
SMN News has been reliably informed that the Democratic Party Members of Parliament will be joining the newly formed coalition government under the banner "Team St. Maarten." Sources close the party said Member of Parliament Petrus Leroy De Weever was off island and he returned Saturday evening. De Weever is expected to meet with the National Alliance sometime over the weekend where they will continue their discussions on the formation of the new government.
The signing of the most recent political agreement brings an end the constant rumors about the fall of government and the disagreements within the UP Party.
SMN News learnt that since Member of Parliament Romaine La Ville made his thoughts known about the Pelican saga which involves UP MP Jules James, the party leader Theodore Heyliger and some of his colleagues have been treating him as a so called step-child. The source said that La Ville felt that his party leader and his colleagues in the UP faction have taken him for granted and the time has come for him to take a stand and do what he believes is best for the people of St. Maarten. It is further understood that La Ville took his stand two weeks ago when his party leader made him believe that all was well and that he would make him the chairman of the Finance Committee.
