GRACITA: "HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 TO THE CITIZENS AND VISITORS OF SINT MAARTEN. AS WE FACE MANY CHALLENGES AHEAD, THE PEOPLE OF SINT MAARTEN DESERVE BETTER REPRESENTATION LESS ACCUSATIONS, MORE APPRECIATION"
"THE PERSISTENT AND CHILDISH GRANDSTANDING OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BOTH AT THE EXECUTIVE AS THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT MUST BE RELEGATED TO THE PAST, IF WE ARE TO GET RESULTS TO AIDING THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US, AND MOVING OUR ISLAND FORWARD."
Gracita R. Arrindell, Member of Parliament representing the United Peoples Party (‘UPP’) and the former first president of Parliament today stated that "looking back at the past year 2012, especially the past 8 months serves as a ‘social yardstick’ in measuring the actions and inactions of the Council of Ministers and Parliament and the effects of the decisions or lack thereof for the people we were elected to represent. For example; since ‘change’ of government after the ‘Carnival coup’ in April of 2012, and many promises by the new government and the President of Parliament in September, the people and Parliament are slated to receive the ‘Governments Program in the week of January 7th 2013. We should not and will not be taken for granted, kicking the can down the road, will not be an option".
"It is also clear that our Country is in dire need of, creative, new and effective change to bring in much needed resources to execute the policies and programs (including new ones) which would improve the quality of life for our citizens as well as enhance our visitor’s experience in a positive manner. However, to date we have yet to have a budget meeting of Parliament. When the new constitutional change went into effect on October 10, 2010, some of us with no blue print at hand rolled up our sleeves and went to work. Others decided to sit back, complain, grandstand, disrupt, and made little or no meaning full contribution to move this new status positively forward. Yes, many talked loud and said nothing, to paraphrase a popular song by the late famous soul singer James Brown. While others, said nothing at all. Increasing our revenues, lowering our debts, introducing a progressive tax system to generate predictable annual revenues to pay the bills of setting up the governmental infrastructures of our new status in a responsible manner , safety, better educational infrastructure for our schools, must be a priority for the new year and beyond."
Gracita said: "What about Parliament. It is not a secret that many are very disappointed in the level of performance both on and off the floor of the legislative branch of government. The system of ‘Dualism’, separation of decision making process between the executive branch, council of ministers, and the Legislative branch, parliament, is new to our country. However, after 2 years, we are no longer at a ‘rookie stage’. The review of the present rules of order must be finalized.
"A firm structure in terms of the physical as well as the procedural aspects of handling draft laws and rules regarding the appointment of personnel has been established within a record time, prior to the opening of the new parliamentary year 2012-2013. The issue now is how do we continue going about the business of the people while keeping a transparent, open, mature, fair and non bombastic decision making process in Parliament. Both in terms of the management of the office of parliament, as well as the preparation, presentation, and debates on the floor of the house of parliament.
What is troubling to me and to the people? It is clear that our performance as of late has been substandard, ineffective, boring, theatrical, and sometimes downright offensive. We must do better job and leave a legacy behind of the first parliament of this country Sint Maarten that we can all be proud of regardless of our political affiliations. I will do my part. I will submit initiative laws that would benefit the people of Sint Maarten. I will also continue to raise the level of our representation on and off the floor of parliament.
Gracita concludes: We do not need ‘band aids’ in solving our problems of this island. We need to step up and provide the legislation and support to our less fortunate citizens. It is a year in which our Country, our people will realizes what is at stake for their future.
I call on all men and woman of good will to help build up our country help the people get through this new year 2013. Keeping in mind that while we face sobering times the people deserve better."
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United Peoples (UP) Party
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten