‘There’s no rift between
Richards, civil servants’
PHILIPSBURG--There is just a small “difference of opinion” and not a “rift” between Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards and the Island Secretary and senior civil servants, the cabinet of the Lt. Governor stated in a press release issued on Monday.
“As such, a print media report published on Monday, October 13, does not reflect the current situation accurately and unfortunately leads to unnecessary speculation,” the release said.
National Alliance leader William Marlin said in a press briefing on Sunday: “To add more to all of the confusion that we have in Government, now we understand also that there is a rift between the Lt. Governor at one end and civil servants, among them the Island Secretary, for an advice that either went sour, an advice that the Lt. Governor is not happy with, but an advice that affects the Lt. Governor over payments of bills.”
Marlin said he believed the situation was grave enough to ask for a public meeting of the Island Council to receive the necessary clarity on what was happening.
However, the Lt. Governor’s cabinet denied that there was a rift between Richards and the Island Secretary and senior civil servants in connection with an advice prepared by senior civil servants pertaining to payment of bills incurred by Richards. It is also most unfortunate, the release said, that National Alliance leader William Marlin opted not to take whatever concerns he might have to the Lt. Governor of the island territory before going to the media.
Giving the view of the Cabinet of the Lt. Governor on the matter, the release said furthermore that as in any and all organisations, there were differences of opinion at times in approach to all matters and the implementation of advice. Within the civil service organisation of St. Maarten, there is no difference,
“The relationship developed between the Lt. Governor of the island territory of St. Maarten and the island secretary has always been and still is a highly professional one, in keeping with the goals, objectives and directives of the organisation. The same could be said of the relationship existing between senior civil service staff, including directors and heads of departments.
“It has been customary that any advice prepared by the civil service for consideration by the government is dealt with with the necessary discretion and it is regrettable that attempts are made to discredit this procedure.”
