Philipsburg:--- Fourteen members of the Parliament of St. Maarten voted unanimously in favor of appointing government civil servant and attorney at law Alsain Van Dyke Bell as the 1st deputy clerk (First Secretary General). Van Dyke Bell will serve temporarily until a replacement is found for the position.The chairlady of parliament Gracita Arrindell sent the advice to the members of parliament indicating to them that a second agenda point was added to the agenda of Monday's which was to appoint the first assistance secretary general on a temporary basis. Van Dyke Bell will be appointed if his employers which is the government of St. Maarten grants him the permission to assist parliament should the need arise. On Monday morning, shortly before she adjourned the meeting the chairlady distributed copies of the advice to the parliamentarians so they could caucus on the advice of the presidium.
Deputy Chairman and member of the presidium Petrus Leroy De Weever requested that parliament postpone the second agenda point of the day which was to discuss and appoint Atwell Terrence Rey as the second deputy clerk. Several members of the coalition mostly from the United Peoples Party seconded the request to postpone Rey's appointment.
