Philipsburg:--- The United People's Party faction of the parliament of St. Maarten has finally taken an internal decision on Wednesday where they would support the appointment of Jozef David Semeleer as Grifier of St. Maarten's parliament.The UP faction, the largest faction supporting government was at loggerheads these past weeks when they learnt that the presidium of parliament had taken an independent decision to appoint Semeleer as Grifier of St. Maarten's Parliament. However, UP faction members met at Minister Theo Heyliger's office on Wednesday and a final decision was taken after they sorted out their disagreements. Those that objected were Romain Laville, Ruth Douglas and Jules James.
Sources close to the UP said that a few of the UP faction members were totally against the appointment since Cassandra Janssen a St. Maartener is among the seven candidates that applied for the position which will become vacant on May 8th 2011 when Franklyn Hanze's contract ends.
The source said that the faction members were upset with the presidium who did not consult with them prior to informing Semeleer that he would get the job based on his experience and qualifications. SMN News learnt that presidium member Roy Marlin was summoned by the UP faction members earlier this month to give a full explanation as to why he chose Semeleer for the job. SMN News further learnt that while the UP faction members were not in agreement with the selection procedure they also considered the constant disagreements between the President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell and Cassandra Janssen which they said will not be in the best interest of the Parliament of St. Maarten. Besides that, the UP faction members also felt that it was necessary to have someone with a judicial background in the position since that person has to advise the President of Parliament based on the laws of the land.
While an agreement has between reached between the UP and the DP to appoint Semeleer to the position, the source said that parliament would still have a lot of explaining to do on Thursday when they met since the National Alliance is not agreement with the selection that was made. On Wednesday, members of the National Alliance faction also met to discuss how they would handle the appointment on Thursday. SMN News learnt that the National Alliance faction believes that St. Maarten has people who have worked for government with the knowledge and experience to fill the vacancy. One such person they said is Joan Dovale Meit whom they said was not offered the position. Dovale-Meit was the island secretary of St. Maarten for a number of years.
On Wednesday, Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell contacted several members of the National Alliance faction seeking their support for the appointment.
Names of persons who applied for the position:
- Cassandra Janssen Applied Sept 29, 2010 withdrew on Oct. 11, 2010 and reapplied after.
- Zylena Barry Applied Oct 8, 2010 but later withdrew her name. (Attorney)
- Anjenie Lachman Applied 13 Oct. 2010 (Attorney)
- Jason Rogers Applied 14 Oct. 2010 (Attorney)
- Jozef Semeleer Applied Dec. 7, 2010
- Joane Smart-Berkel who applied but was told that her papers have been misplaced. SMN News learnt that Smart-Berkel, a senior civil servant was never interviewed for the position.
