National Alliance held their first 3 day information session on the draft constitution for country St.Maarten in the Hope Estate Senior Citizens Recreational Center on Thursday 21st February 2008.
On the 1st day (Thursday 21st February 2008) Surinamese Attorney Sam Polanen gave a presentation on what a constitution is, the purpose and the function, the importance and general observations on the draft constitution.
His presentation was followed by St.Maarten attorney Reynold Groeneveldt, who was to have dealt with chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the island’s draft constitution. However, NA leader William Marlin said because of the intense interaction, Groeneveldt had ot managed to finish dealing with all three chapters.
Surinamese Attorney Sam Polanen St.Maarten Attorney Reynold Groeneveldt
The session with Groeneveldt continued on Friday. The question was whether certain parts should not be changed or people wanted to know how to deal with them.
Marlin believed the session had been a learning experience even for Groeneveldt, who is one of the first local technocrats involved in drafting the constitution. He had a chance to see how common citizens deal with the workings of the constitution. He also said NA would try to have similar sessions for other important legislation such as the electoral law for country St.Maarten.
Friday’s information session was at the same venue and was facilitated by attorney Ralph Richardson. He dealt with chapters 4, 5 and 6 of the draft constitution. After that, the 3 experts were available for questions from the workshop attendees.
Rounding off the informtional session was a public lecture at the Pasanggrahan Hotel Conference Room on Front Street. The two attorneys discussed the draft constitution. Polanen offered some background on Suriname’s experiences with the country’s two constitutions and some general remarks on the St.Maarten’s constitution.
Attorney Ralph Richardson
Mr.Edgar Lynch
Attorney Mr.Reynold Groeneveldt
