Philipsburg:--- Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin introduced four new candidates that will be running on the National Alliance slate on September 17. The new candidates are Jacinto Mock, Martha Simmon Thewet, two new comers to the political arena along with former members of the People's Progressive Party Christopher Emanuel and Herbert Martina. The two candidates who came from the PPA expressed their disgust as well as disappointment in the former PPA leader Gracita Arrindell who teamed up with care taker commissioner Theo Heyliger for the United People's Party. Herbert Martina describes the fusion as a hoax, a sham and a ploy to sway the voters of St. Maarten. Martina reminded the gathering of how Arrindell criticized Heyliger for his work ethics in the past, yet she chose to have him as her leader now. He said the marriage between Heyliger took place without the approval and consent of the former PPA members, and in fact his views do not coincide with that of the United People's Party.
Martina said he can be considered a reflection of St. Maarten's younger generation thus he will be focusing on sports, education, and crime. Firing shots at Arrindell also was Christopher Emanuel who said politics makes strange bed fellows and that him being on the National Alliance slate should not be a surprise to no one. Emanuel said he simply returned to his fold because he left the National Alliance to form the PPA in 2003 because he wanted something new or different. He said when the time came for him to choose where to go he had no difficulty because he knew what is right for the people of St. Maarten. Emanuel called on the voters and supporters of the National Alliance to make sure they campaign hard because he felt the National Alliance should have nothing less but ten seats for 10/10/10. He said the members of the National Alliance is not afraid neither are they scared. He spoke of some of the achievements of the National Alliance since they took office such as the implementation of compulsory education and the fact that the leader of the National Alliance and now leader of government was the only one who was able to pin point a date when St. Maarten would become country.Jacinto Mock a Chinese national who was born in the Dominican Republic but grew up on St. Maarten surprised many with how he analyzed the situation St. Maarten and its people are facing daily.
Mock said declared that he will not tolerate financial crimes if elected, neither environmental negligence, or any other recklessness that can harm the people of St. Maarten. "Negligence and recklessness have torn our conscience, destroyed our cultural and historical sites, and endangered our environment and the people, acts which that have created economic loss and those responsible for this must be brought to justice." He called on the people to remain vigilante and look out for white collar and computer crimes which can further harm this society. Mock said the new leaders would be challenged with will have a host of work before them such as the escalating crime rate, the influx of immigrants, educational reform, health care, price control, and closing the gap between the rich and the poor. All of which must take place within the framework of human rights, equality and respect of religion as well as cultural freedom. His message for the youths is that they should live a meaningful life, and be imaginative, creative and learn to innovate. Mock warned that he will not leave without a fight to get into government.
"As for those that say that they are more experienced I need you to tell us what you did with the more years of experience, was it used to go in the wrong direction? More experience doing wrong things? Or more experience doing things wrong. Was the more experience used to lie to the people and to betray and sell them out? More experience foreign consultants?" He said even if someone has 30 years of experience as a cook they only have to poison one person to be prosecuted. While the fourth candidate introduced by Marlin holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice, and is ready to assist with the current crime situation that is plaguing St. Maarten. Simmon Thewet, a former employee of New York mayor's cabinet Rudy Giuliani and USM. She is the section head of the Bus and Taxi Drivers and advisor to the executive council. Thewet said she also developed a love for education and is concerned about the students who are not able to achieve a full academic education. Her intention if elected is to write policies that would accommodate students that are not academically strong.
