It may be starting to sound like a broken record, but the lack of a quorum for Tuesday’s meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament (see related story) is downright scandalous. After all, the legislature was not only on summer recess the entire month of July, but hardly met in both August and September except for the sessions to close and open the parliamentary year.
The latter had a lot to do with the election campaign, but that excuse is no longer valid since September 26. The session now postponed regarded the appointment of an acting Ombudsman that may not be super-urgent, but for Ombudsman Nilda Lynch-Arduin and the members who were present it was definitely a waste of valuable time and the same can be said for those in the public tribune and others wanting to follow proceedings via radio or television.
The absence of so many elected representatives is all the more vexing because there had been indications of improvement. The average attendance record in the parliamentary year 2015-2016 was said to be considerably higher than that of 2014-2015, but apparently that doesn’t necessarily mean the positive trend will also continue for 2016-2017.
A possible boycott of the UP/NA government being formed can’t be the reason either, because the two prospective coalition partners already have a majority with a combined nine of the current 15 seats.
Hopefully, the incoming Parliament to take office at the end of October will do better, because it regards full-time and well-paid legislators who are expected to dedicate all their time and energy to duly representing the people of St. Maarten.
