In order to change the status of the islands, the statute has to be changed giving St. Maarten and Curacao country status and establishing the BES islands. My opinion of the comment by Blijden made to my previous post about elections slated for 2010 and how the politicians would get over that hurdle.
I have three opinions, St. Maarten can maintain the January 1st, 2010 date regardless of having all departments transferred. Request assistance from Holland to finance the maintaining of the branch offices by temporary personnel from Curacao. These temporary workers would train local personnel to take over the jobs in due time.
Option 2 would be that we have the elections for a 15 seat parliament for country St. Maarten as scheduled. We would have to change the law to allow this. When the transfer is ready, the 15 members would become the first parliament and would elect the ministers and state secretaries.
Option 3 would be to change the statute and postpone the Central Government election until such time that the islands are ready for the change.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Real Leadership from National Alliance
In just two weeks, the leader of the National Alliance has signed an accord for the transfer of Central Government task to the island territory of St. Maarten, a major step in achieving a change of status for the island. The leader of the Opposition Democratic Party, Sarah Wescott Williams had challenged the National Alliance to get the Constitutional Train back on track and even the staunchest DP supporter must admit that the train has been shifted to 5th gear. In politics you have to be careful what you wish for because you might just get it.
The agreement signed by William Marlin indicates that the Central Government will open branches of all government offices and functions not presently on St. Maarten. The offices will begin to be opened in October with all offices opened by January 1st 2010. The idea being that St. Maarteners be employed in these departments and trained by Central Government employees to take over the positions that are necessary for Country St. Maarten. Not only will all the offices be open by January 1st 2010 but St. Maarten is to be in full control of all departments by this date, a major step in attaining self sufficiency.
Not only will the Central Government establish the various departments but they will also bear the financial burden of all the offices. William Marlin and his team must be commended for this step and negotiating such a deal that is clearly in favor of St. Maarten. Unfortunately, DP Leader Sarah Wescott Williams did not attend the meeting commenting in the media that since William Marlin had so much criticism with her leading he should go about it alone. After the above results, I think that maybe she should not go on any more of the trips.
Many people (including me) had our doubts if January 1st 2010 was a feasible date mostly because of the lack of information coming from the former DP led Government. Now I still got doubts that all the necessary steps for full internal self government can be accomplished by this date but I do feel that a date later in 2010 is feasible. I am curious as to what the political minded people that read this blog think.
The agreement signed by William Marlin indicates that the Central Government will open branches of all government offices and functions not presently on St. Maarten. The offices will begin to be opened in October with all offices opened by January 1st 2010. The idea being that St. Maarteners be employed in these departments and trained by Central Government employees to take over the positions that are necessary for Country St. Maarten. Not only will all the offices be open by January 1st 2010 but St. Maarten is to be in full control of all departments by this date, a major step in attaining self sufficiency.
Not only will the Central Government establish the various departments but they will also bear the financial burden of all the offices. William Marlin and his team must be commended for this step and negotiating such a deal that is clearly in favor of St. Maarten. Unfortunately, DP Leader Sarah Wescott Williams did not attend the meeting commenting in the media that since William Marlin had so much criticism with her leading he should go about it alone. After the above results, I think that maybe she should not go on any more of the trips.
Many people (including me) had our doubts if January 1st 2010 was a feasible date mostly because of the lack of information coming from the former DP led Government. Now I still got doubts that all the necessary steps for full internal self government can be accomplished by this date but I do feel that a date later in 2010 is feasible. I am curious as to what the political minded people that read this blog think.
Friday, June 19, 2009
DP in oppostion
It is no secret that I have for a long time been saying that DP belongs in opposition because like many of their supporters, they are all talk and no action. This is unfortunately the role of the opposition in our system.
Even strong DP supporters must admit that the DP is better in opposition. See how since being only in opposition a few weeks, there are criticism and advice raining down from the DP. Didn't they know this when they were in government. Especially the former leader of government all of a sudden realizes that we need to build schools in the Belvedere and Cay Hill areas. Almost 20 years she has had the education portfolio and not one school built. Guess she was waiting to go into opposition to criticize and let someone else do the work, while she talks.
It seems like she is very upset about losing her government and is looking to lay claim on everyone and everything around he. Like Micheal Jackson says, man (or in this case woman) in the mirror. This DP Government has been shaky from the very inception. It was a public secret that she preferred someone other than Laveist as Commissioner but her own rule about most votes came back to bite her in the behind.
Then her leadership disabilities came to light when all common sense indicated that Maria Buncamper should have resigned and run things from the background. However, she crumbled to pressure and re-appointed a commissioner to no ones surprise.
This lack of leadership abilities is what ultimately led to the downfall of the DP Government and if the Green party becomes a reality there will be a long time before we see DP in gov't (at least alone) again.
Warning: Don't count her out though, she has one very good ability. Getting Votes. Ask Theo.
Even strong DP supporters must admit that the DP is better in opposition. See how since being only in opposition a few weeks, there are criticism and advice raining down from the DP. Didn't they know this when they were in government. Especially the former leader of government all of a sudden realizes that we need to build schools in the Belvedere and Cay Hill areas. Almost 20 years she has had the education portfolio and not one school built. Guess she was waiting to go into opposition to criticize and let someone else do the work, while she talks.
It seems like she is very upset about losing her government and is looking to lay claim on everyone and everything around he. Like Micheal Jackson says, man (or in this case woman) in the mirror. This DP Government has been shaky from the very inception. It was a public secret that she preferred someone other than Laveist as Commissioner but her own rule about most votes came back to bite her in the behind.
Then her leadership disabilities came to light when all common sense indicated that Maria Buncamper should have resigned and run things from the background. However, she crumbled to pressure and re-appointed a commissioner to no ones surprise.
This lack of leadership abilities is what ultimately led to the downfall of the DP Government and if the Green party becomes a reality there will be a long time before we see DP in gov't (at least alone) again.
Warning: Don't count her out though, she has one very good ability. Getting Votes. Ask Theo.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
New Government in 'power'
A new Executive Council was elected by the Island Council, with the balance of power shifting from the failed (in my opinion) leadership of Sarah Wescott to the leadership of William Marlin.
The Executive Council can't possibly be any worse that what we had before and both William and Theo are known for getting projects off the ground. However the concentration of this EC along with the obvious changes (schools, roads, housing) will be to move towards a new status. With a new status comes along the changes that will help to curtail a lot of the things that is wrong with Gov't. The changes include the Ombudsman, transparency of gov't officials, campaign finance reform, environmental protection, sensible labor policies, improve transportation etc. etc. All these laws need to be put in place now because we all know that this is one of the prerequisites to any status change.
The Executive Council can't possibly be any worse that what we had before and both William and Theo are known for getting projects off the ground. However the concentration of this EC along with the obvious changes (schools, roads, housing) will be to move towards a new status. With a new status comes along the changes that will help to curtail a lot of the things that is wrong with Gov't. The changes include the Ombudsman, transparency of gov't officials, campaign finance reform, environmental protection, sensible labor policies, improve transportation etc. etc. All these laws need to be put in place now because we all know that this is one of the prerequisites to any status change.
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