Philipsburg:--- Education commissioner William Marlin in reaction to statements made by island council member Roy Marlin about his daughter being victimized with her request for study financing said the councilmember daughter's request was never denied.Marlin said it is unfortunate that the councilman would drag his daughter into his personal political campaign, hoping to get mileage out of his ranting and raging under the disguise of a concern parent.
The education commissioner explained that the young lady in question was granted study financing at the University of St. Maarten but she appealed. He said when students applied for study financing they have two choices and in the case of the councilman daughter she was granted her second choice but she appealed the decision. He said the appeals committee had some nine (9) files to deal with but three of them were not ready when his office received the advice on Monday.
Marlin said he enquired about the missing files and found out it was delayed due to administrative mishaps.
Marlin said on Tuesday when he got the complete batch of files they were all signed off and the education department was given immediate notification.
Marlin said when dealing with these files he does not look at the names of the applicants. The commissioner said he is of the opinion that when one applies for study financing they expect to get it and he is not in the business of victimizing anyone. Marlin further explained that if there is anyone who could speak of victimization was his son who applied to government for a job when he returned to the island with his degree. Marlin said when his son applied for a job and he waited over a year before turning to the private sector for work.
Marlin said government has on a daily basis deadlines to meet despite they are called to unnecessary island council meetings. Marlin gave an example of the meeting that was called by the opposition to discuss the letter sent by the finance commissioner to the finance minister. He said when things like this happen the commissioners neither the support staff is not able to do their work efficiently and the work is piled up causing delays.
Marlin said the Democratic Party has embarked on what he describes as the "stall tactics" by calling these meetings. Marlin said when the Democratic Party calls these meeting and holds their press conferences for popularity one would think they are doing their work. He said however, had they done their work while in the executive branch St. Maarten would not be at the eleventh hour rushing through the constitution and the more than 30 organic laws which still has to come to the island council. Marlin said these things could have been done before while they the Democratic Party were in government.