GREAT BAY:---- The members of the executive council met with the first cooperate governance council on Friday. Attending and chairing the meeting was Lt. GovernorGovernor Franklyn Richards and Commissioners William Marlin, Xavier Blackman, Frans Richardson and Hyacinth Richardson. Commissioner Theodore Heyliger is presently off island.
The Board members are Louis Duzanson, a career civil servant, Minerva Monte-Vlaun, with a background in Business Economics, Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz, based in the Netherlands and owner of a company that focuses on compliance, Francis Carty, a businessman with over 40 years experience, and Agnes Gumbs, a professional accountant with 30 years experience.
All board members were very pleased to be there and honored for being selected. They all collectively agreed that no doubt they would do their best by providing objective advice to the Executive Council, whether solicited or not, as stipulated in the Good Governance code. Acknowledging as well the difficult tasks that lay ahead.
Commissioner Marlin indicated that it was a pleasure to have the group here and he was pleased and honored that they accepted the proposal to serve on the Corporate Governance Council. With the establishment of the council, St. Maarten can move forward in its development in this regard.
It was difficult to find candidates who would not pose a conflict of interest with their present functions because many work for government or for a government owned company, or some other related entity that may pose a conflict of interest if persons were chosen.
Nevertheless, Commissioner Marlin said, we found some outstanding candidates who have agreed and who can contribute greatly to this effort. All members have remarkable and professional qualifications. I congratulate you and I know that it won't be an easy road, but with your advice the decision making process will be more complete. Thanks again, and I wish you the very best.
It is said that the Corporate Governance Council in St. Maarten is the first in the Netherlands Antilles and probably in the Dutch Kingdom.
The Council members are all fully aware of the huge responsibility that they have assumed and the historic importance of achieving the objectives of the Corporate Governance Ordinance.
They commend the Island Government and Island Council of having taken the courageous step in striving for more discipline and transparency in accordance with international standards.
The Council members are also fully aware that there may be tensions in the future between the politicians and the council but they have all pledged their commitment to making the council a success.
By unanimous vote the council has elected Mr. Louis Duzanson as its chairman and Mrs. Maria Van der Sluijs-Plantz as vice- chairman.
The Council will be taking inventory of the relevant entities, the legacy issues and what will be required to ensure that all entities are "in good standing".
Mr. Louis Duzanson on behalf of the council accepts the responsibility for the tasks at hand, the challenges to be faced and expressed the confidence in the council member's commitment to make the changes that are needed.
