~ Sarah: NA means 'No Answer' ~
PHILIPSBURG--The National Alliance (NA)-led coalition continues to refuse or not provide information to the Island Council, a way of governing termed by opposition Democratic Party (DP) "regrettable" and "irresponsible."
DP Island Council members were furious when Thursday's Island Council meeting on the draft budget and consequences for the island of its not being approved, which meeting they had specifically requested, was cancelled because there was no quorum.
DP members Sarah Wescot-Williams, Roy Marlin, Maria Buncamper-Molanus and Leroy de Weever signed in for the meeting. Only Deputy Leader of Government Commissioner Theo Heyliger signed in from Government's side.
These five signatures were not enough because six or more members were needed for a quorum.
Three NA members were present in Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall but did not sign in for the meeting (see related story).
Wescot-Williams told the press, after the meeting was cancelled by Chairman Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards, that the action of NA members was "regrettable."
She added that NA members present were instructed by their leadership "not to sign in or say anything." By not signing, NA aims "to stop DP one way or another, but it will not work."
"The only member not of DP who thought the topic of the budget was of importance was Commissioner Theo Heyliger," she said.
As Government continues to ignore the opposition by not providing information or quorums for important meetings, the public is left to wonder what happened now, because there still is no 2010 budget, said Wescot-Williams. "NA means simply no answer."
DP does not ask for Island Council or Central Committee meetings because its members have nothing to do, it's out of concern for the island's future country status and the wellbeing of its people, she continued.
Information on the draft budget is crucial because the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT has informed the Kingdom Council of Ministers that the island has no budget approved by the Island Council or by the committee.
CFT had made "very, very clear" what its issues were with the budget, and the need to possibly start over. However, Finance Commissioner Xavier Blackman was adamant in a recent Central Committee meeting that Government would continue with the budget in the Island Council, despite the insistence of Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards that Government rethink its position, Wescot-Williams said.
The NA government was "elusive to say the least" when questions on the draft budget were posed "to get clarity" for the people. "This shows the inability of Government to deal with matters. We have no confidence in Government," the DP leader said.
Buncamper-Molanus added that St. Maarten's ability to become a country within the Kingdom was constantly challenged by the Dutch Government, but the NA-led coalition continued to expose its incapability and irresponsibility in dealing with the people's business.
Island Councilman Marlin said DP had worked along with the then-opposition NA while in government, when NA had requested meetings to get information for the people. "This refusal to give information is bordering on thwarting democracy."
The opposition will now wait for Richards to call another meeting on the topic, and hopes that by then Government will have come up with "some solution" to the budget dilemma.
