Good governance
National Alliance councilman George Pantophlet:
The minority government of the Democratic Party is exemplary in their commitment to frustrate the process of constitutional change and prevent the people of St. Maarten N.A. from attaining separate status.
During yesterday’s island council meeting they decided to walk out instead of remaining in the legislative hall to represent the people who elected them. This was unfortunate indeed because the process of constitutional change is not a party issue but the mandate from the people of St. Maarten which was given to us when they voted on June 23, 2000 almost 10 years ago to leave the constellation of the Netherlands Antilles but remain within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Why did the members of the minority government walk out? It was not because they had to wait on several adjournments which are nothing new because we have had to endure many adjournments which sometimes kept us into the late hours of the night. But it was because they realized that without them we would not have a quorum. And knowing that one of the requirements in the agreement signed with the Netherlands was that of good corporate governance a process which they started but could not complete. By this kind of behavior they have proven that when it comes to good governance they are still lagging behind. Do you remember the proposal of the Ombudsman brought forward by former Island council member Drs. Gracita Arrindell? What was the D.P.’s response.It was left hanging for almost 4 years. And how can we forget Rules of Order which has been waiting for almost 5 years? And suddenly the minority government realizes that it exists. We need not remind the former D.P. government of the many times when it came especially to constitutional matters that the National Alliance as representatives of the people of St. Maarten were the ones who signed in to ensure that there was a quorum for the meetings to proceed. The minutes of these meetings are there as proof. Now because of their lack of good governance another week will be wasted. Bravo D.P. good job. country above self.