Philipsburg:--- The fifteen member island council and four appointed members of the executive council was established on Tuesday in keeping with the island regulations before St. Maarten takes on its new status on Sunday October 10th. The members of the island council were sworn in the presence of the Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt and island secretary Joan Dovale Meit.
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The new island council will last until Sunday when St. Maarten achieves it new status. Among the 15 members that were sworn in, four of them entered the political arena for the first time and has been elected to serve in public office. They are Dr. Lloyd Richardson, Silvia Meyers-Ollivachi, Romaine Laville and Rhoda Arrindell.
The members of the new council in their speeches promised cooperation and pledges to work for St. Maarten and not their own interest. Most of them felt that St. Maarten is at a cross road and all hands are needed on deck. The calls to bury the hatchet and put aside party politics were the main focus of the new elected council.
Romain Laville the youngest member of the council called on the elected to make the youths of St. Maarten their number one priority. He said St. Maarten has opened its arms to many including his parents who came to the island and made the island their home and felt that the youths of this island must be able to return home and find a decent job.
Dr. Lloyd Richardson said one of his missions is to make sure the National Health Insurance Scheme is established and is beneficial to everyone. Finding jobs for those he met along the campaign trail and the unemployed is something he is fired up to do. Dr. Richardson warned that even though he is sitting on the opposition benches in government he will not be counted as one of the opposition when it comes to serving his people.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin said that the voters gave the National Alliance seven seats but before they were sworn in they were reduced to six. Marlin said "even though they are now in opposition, one thing for sure those governing will have a force to be reckoned with." Marlin also spoke of the endless hours he spent working over the past months in the interest of St. Maarten while neglecting his wife and 15 year old son.
Councilman Louie Laviest urged the new council members to be vigilant, to pray and have God beside them and to remain vigilant in whatever they do. Laveist said elected officials are called to make severe sacrifices and in many instances cannot be beside their loved ones because of the call of duty.
While council man George Pantophlet urged the incoming members of the council to read all they can because governing country St. Maarten would not be easy. He said the work ahead of the island has now begun and he hoped those in government are able to carry out the job that is expected of them.
Island council member Hyacinth Richardson spoke of how hard the National Alliance executive council worked over the past 16 months. He said while a lot has been said about the National Alliance Leader William Marlin many did not say that while Marlin may not be a good politician he is an excellent leader; one that worked hard and cared very much for his country. Council man Leroy De Weever also shared the same sentiment and said he will be looking forward for Marlin's cooperation in building country St. Maarten and its nation.
Island council lady Sarah Wescot Williams the last speaker of the council said if St. Maarten would get 50% of the promised cooperation and dedication from the members of the council that spoke before her then the island is already in good shape.
Chairman of the island council Reynold Groeneveldt urged the incoming members to make sure they serve with good governance in mind.
The new members of the Island Council and soon to be parliamentarians are:-
- William Marlin
- Frans Richardson
- Drs. Lloyd Richardson
- Hyacinth Richardson
- Louie Laviest
- George Pantophlet
- Theodore Heyliger
- Gracita Arrindell
- Romaine Laville
- Silvia Meyers
- Rhoda Arrindell
- Jules James
- Petrus Leroy De Weever
- Sarah Wescot Williams
- Patrick Illidge
Appointed members of the Executive Council are:-
- Michael Ferrier
- Josianne Fleming Artsen
- Maurice Lake
- Roy Marlin
Chairman of the Central Committee is the leader of the current coalition government Theodore Heyliger with vice chairman in the person of Petrus Leroy de Weever.
