Opening of the Island Council meeting.
ST. EUSTATIUS--Last week’s Island Council meeting discussed a wide array of topics, ranging from the accountant report of the 2015 annual account, to a letter from the Minister of Social Affairs regarding the suspension of the Island Council to make July 1 a holiday, to the emergency ordinance concerning Fort Oranje and the Bay Path (Hill Head).
The accountant reported that there were 20 uncertainties in the annual account 2015. Councilman for Democratic Party (DP) Koos Sneek stated that he was concerned about the “jump” in uncertainties, as already in 2014 there were a total of 14.
Sneek requested information from the Commissioners about funding that was set aside for the underground cabling of utilities, about the condition of tugboat Waterman, the waste management plant and other issues.
Commissioner Derrick Simmons said he was happy to announce that a few days ago he had talks and a presentation about repairs to the current structure of the Airport terminal.
Councilwoman for Progressive Labour Party (PLP) Rechelline Leerdam stated that everyone knew that the 2015 annual account would not be good, as 2015 was a year of struggle.
She said that as her party went into Government, instruction was imposed. The Finance Unit manager, according to the accountant, said he did not have any ledgers and therefore he was not opening balances for the year 2014. When his contract was up, they did not retain him.
Leerdam said the Island Government was not allowed to hire anyone to replace the Unit Manager.
“Thank goodness for volunteers and the committees which were made up of local Statians who donated their time to run the office…2015 was a year of togetherness and unity, because if it weren’t for all those volunteers and committees, we wouldn’t be here today,” she said.
Commissioner Charles Woodley said: “Let’s not look to 2015, as 2015 is the past. Let’s look to 2017. At the end of 2017, the Government will have collected the most revenues it’s ever collected before.”
Woodley stated that in reference to 2015 there were various reports such as by KPMG and the Spies Committee it was stated that the island is running at a deficit. “Now, the island is running at a surplus,” he said. The Council voted three for and two against along party lines in favour of the report.
As to the decision by the Minister of Social Affairs to suspend the decree for July 1 to become a holiday, DP Councilwoman Adelka Spanner pointed out that after 10-10-10 Statia lost two national holidays: Antilles Day on October 10 and Kingdom Day on December 15. The Council voted unanimously to pull back the original letter and hold further discussions with the Ministry pertaining to establishing July 1 as an island holiday. PLP Councilman Clyde van Putten left the room before the vote was called.
All five Island Council Members voted to approve the measure to temporarily close off parts of Fort Oranje and its vicinity due to erosion. Acting Island Governor Julian Woodley said military assistance may be requested to install protective material.
“We will not stop tourists from entering the Fort, but we will make sure that persons that go in do not go onto the walls. A few days ago, while I was driving down the Bay, I saw someone sitting on the wall, even though notices have been posted and sent out about the dangers of the erosion problem,” he said.
According to the Governor, livestock may increase the erosion problem. “We advised goat owners to secure their animals. We are giving them a grace period and after that expires, the animals will be taken off the roads at the owner’s expense.”
The Island Council also discussed an alternative location for Statia Day, November 16, as the opening festivities are generally hosted at Fort Oranje, where the First Salute was made.
Governor Woodley said inspectors have already looked into the erosion problem at the end of the runway at F.D. Roosevelt Airport.
