~ Elected Members of Parliament should visit the home says Van Putten~
PHILIPSBURG; --- The two appointed Ministers namely Stuart Johnson and Miklos Giterson who visited the home of Iris Van Putten unannounced on Wednesday did not have any solutions for the elderly woman that is living in deplorable conditions since the passing of Hurricane IRMA in September 2017.
The woman’s daughter Aiesha Van Putten said that on Tuesday Keith Franca visited her mother’s house while she was not at home and when he realized she was not at home he called her, and she gave him permission to enter the home if he was there to continue with repairs. Van Putten said Franca and his team held on to one of her mother’s house key and since she knew he was in a position of a key she told him to go in if he was there to continue with the repairs. The younger Van Putten said later that same day the Secretary to Minister Miklos Giterson called her mother and asked if it was possible for the two appointed Ministers to visit the home. Van Putten further explained that the Minister’s Secretary told her that she would call her back to confirm if the Ministers were going to visit her home. She said the Secretary never called her back to confirm however, the two Ministers showed up at the home unannounced and she welcomed them.
“My brother was there when the Ministers asked my mom if she had an article in the newspaper and they asked her to tell them what she told the reporter for SMN News which she did and made clear to both Ministers that she needed urgent assistance since the island is in the eve of the 2019 hurricane season. My mom also told the Ministers that Keith Franca already told her that the St, Maarten Development Fund did not have more money but both Ministers told her that she is already on that list and she would have to wait until they get money to continue the repairs. The Ministers told my mom that their main objective was to clear Government’s name and as such, they will be putting an article in the newspapers. I want to make clear that my elderly mother met these Ministers who basically invaded while I was not there, but my brother was there, and he heard everything that was told to my mother who is struggling to survive each day.
While the Ministers were there Joseph Dollison was there taking endless photographs. Dollison the former Head of VROMI is now working hand in hand with SMDF with his private contracting companies.
“These Ministers told my mother they could not assist her but the person or Foundation that started the project has to finish it. Therefore, I would like to know exactly what was the objective of their visit on Wednesday, are they concerned about Government’s image and not her well being. My mother wants to know where should she go for assistance because government said they are not going to assist while St. Maarten Development Fund, namely Keith Franca said the Foundation did not have any more money.”
