Dear Editor,
Seemingly our (the St. Maarten) political leadership has absolutely no political will for meaningful Electoral Reform that will stop or curtail the political phenomena of “ship-jumping.” This is evident by the much talk and no action of the political leadership. Or, irrespective of the prime minister forming an Electoral Reform Committee which came up with a proposal to amend the Constitution to stop ship-jumping and other passionate calls as to “still fighting for electoral reform” by announcing to “table a proposal in Parliament for electoral reform extending to the Rules of Order of Parliament” or proposing changes to the Rules of Order of Parliament to “stem” ship-jumping.
By reading the editorial of The Daily Herald “Time is up” and the article titled “Parliament still awaits electoral reform laws,” both of August 16, 2016, it is obvious that the political leadership of St. Maarten has no desire to curtail ship-jumping. As they are doubling down on a proposed amendment of the Constitution that they know or should know has no change in hell in becoming law and proposed changes to the Rules of Order of Parliament which equally makes absolutely no sense and the further political development bleeding of St. Maarten.
Respectfully, the prime minister’s proposed amendment to the Constitution to stop ship-jumping calls for amending the Constitution to say “Parliamentarians who leave their party and go independent would not be able to help to form a new government” – which has been totally rejected by the Kingdom as raising too many legal questions, in essence unconstitutional.
Notwithstanding that this proposal is about amending Article 33 of the Constitution which deals with the appointment and dismissal of ministers which has absolutely nothing to do with Parliament. The Article that deals specifically with Parliament is Article 47, Chapter 4 of the Constitution.
The bigger problem here is, why would the prime minster and the chair of Parliament want this proposed amendment to be sent and discussed in Parliament fully knowing that if it passes in Parliament, which is doubtful, it would get the 2/3 majority vote needed of the serving Members of Parliament and the expressed consent of the Kingdom before becoming law (Article 129 of the Constitution), and also will be subjected to investigation by the Ombudsman as to its constitutionality (and could end up in in the Constitutional Court). Is this not a waste of taxpayers’ money and Parliamentarians’ time?
The proposal to make changes to the Rules of Parliament is also a waste of taxpayers’ money and Parliamentarians’ time. Please understand the Rules of Order of Parliament essentially establishes the rules or order for conducting the business of Parliament / parliamentary procedures. The issue of ship-jumping has to do with the composition or the political party make up of Parliament. Obviously, this idea of “extending the Rules of Order of Parliament” has not been fully thought through.
Fellow St. Maarteners, the solution to stop or curtail “ship-jumping” lies within Article 47.1 of the Constitution (of St. Maarten). Which call for the composition of Parliament and the Members of Parliament to be elected by proportional representation (within the limits of be laid down by national ordinance. Where proportional representation is operationally defined as “an electoral system in which each party is represented in Parliament by proportional representation where each party has representation in proportion to total votes received.” Thus, if 25 per cent of the electorate vote for a particular political party, then 25 per cent of the seats in Parliament should be occupied by that party.
Not only is a “ship-jumper” not a political party, but without getting the required votes assumes the position in Parliament as an elected party. Historically, “ship-jumpers have received on the average less than 3 per cent of the electorate vote which proportionally represents zero seats in the Parliament and any such action could be deemed as “unconstitutional.”
Since 2014, I have formulated, drafted and presented before Parliament a draft electoral reform ordinance that assures the composition and the maintaining of proportional representation in Parliament, as required by the Constitution, providing for the effective upholding of the Constitution and stopping or curtailing ship-jumping. (See Election Ordinance Amendment Legislation – drafted and submitted to the Parliament of St. Maarten by Julio R. Romney, November 2015.)
Critics against my draft Election Ordinance contend that it is in conflict with Article 61.1 of the Constitution, which reads “Members of Parliament shall not be bound by a mandate or instructions when casting their vote.” It is obvious, an understanding and taken in perspective the draft Ordinance neither bound and/or imply that Members of Parliament are to be bound by a mandate or instructions when casting their vote.
Notably, I have been approached on many occasions and asked why is it that when the topic of Electoral Reform comes up your draft Election Ordinance Amendment Legislation is never mentioned by the political leadership and/or the press. Equally, despite your academic background in Government and Politics/ Public Policy Formulation and Evaluation you were never contacted and/or invited by the prime minister to be part of the Electoral Reform Committee and/or the Electoral Reform Committee seeking your professional input.
This further raises the question as to “if you were from Timbuktu would they have sought your input, but as a local they want no part of you?” Irrespectively, they (the political leadership) are always saying they are for encouraging the “best” and “brightest” St. Maarten academics to come home and get involved.
My humble response has always been and will continue to be “It is what it is.” I have no dog in this political fight and neither do I wish to have one. I am simply a companionate patriotic St. Maartener – a scholar of Comparative Government, freely trying to give back of my doctoral/academic training. With a caution that without real electoral reform – adhering to the composition of Parliament by proportional representation as specified in the Constitution – which none of the political leadership has shown the political will to do other than giving serious lip service. St. Maarten, brace yourself for more “ship-jumping” and political turmoil.
Be mindful that the present government came into governance as a result of ship-jumping. With a possible nine political parties contesting the upcoming Parliamentary election, there is all likelihood a coalition government will emerge and the political anomaly of ship-jumping will begin. I humbly submit, voters of St. Maarten on September 26, you can make a difference or “Oh Sweet St. Maarten Land” will continue to bleed.
Julio Romney,
Political Analyst
Dear Editor,
Please allow me some space in your newspaper to reply to Wycliffe Smith’s piece on separation of State and Church.
Mr. Smith, I was very disappointed with your article on separation of Church and State. First of all you try to obfuscate the issue with a distinction between Government and State; there is very little distinction really. Yes, Religion and State should be separated. Our forefathers have fought very hard for that principle.
John F. Kennedy, “I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish - where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source - where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials – and, where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.”
I know you to be a very principled man, and I respect your sincere wish to work on behalf of the St. Maarten population. As the leader of a political party your certainly have the right to your beliefs and value system, and I certainly believe in Religious liberty.
However, as a liberal-minded person, I am in favour of Women’s rights, Gay rights and Euthanasia. When it comes to legislation, I believe that you will not be on the same side as me on these issues; your religious principles will not allow you to vote that way.
The SMCP should be honest with voters and not facilely explain matters away with whatever is printed on coins or how many ecumenical services are planned, or whatever phrases are in the constitution or oath of office.
Government is for ALL the people: Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Atheist...all! Yes, I sincerely believe that we can and should, separate God from Government.
J. Rijnboutt
Dear Editor,
Education is like a succulent fruit, waiting for students to sink their teeth into it. This precious gift is available to all, but unfortunately, the majority has exhibited very little interest. What missed opportunity and unwelcomed reality! If students could only understand how this appetizer is linked to their overall development and future career, they would approach learning with a completely different mindset.
Therefore, students cannot afford to just look at the fruit without delving into it. They must realize that the power lies within them to squash mediocrity in order not to squander this opportunity. Now is the time to make that commitment to push themselves forward; because no matter how much the teachers have taught, students have an equal responsibility to ensure that they are successful in school.
Yes, teachers are there to teach but learning is a two way street. It is the students’ role to listen attentively; participate actively, by asking questions to obtain clarity; complete assignments on time; practice, to develop more flexibility and review their work every day. Without this parallel cooperation, it will create continuous friction and frustration that eventually leads to a negative correlation.
In about nine months, another set of sixth graders will be sitting the FBE exam. Do these students become complacent, with the hope that they will make up the time later on? Absolutely not! Preparation to this very important part of their school life starts today, August 15. They too must begin the school year sinking their teeth into this luscious fruit that will keep them hooked for the entire school year and beyond!
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
There's a bus problem on the east side of island in St Maarten, and government should see this situation solved immediately. The people on the east side of the island are not safe traveling on gypsies daily that are not insured. Parliamentarian government politicians and newcomers on the list for this coming election, why are there no buses running in Middle Region, Sucker Garden, Pointe Blanche, Dawn Beach and Oyster pond?
Middle Region needs a community centre, and a ball park and water meters are too far from the homes. Government needs to help and assist Middle Region people more. A community centre for Middle Region should be included the 2017 budget.
After election is over and a new government is in office, please don't let down Middle Region and its people. Thanks to the Justice Department and police! The people of Middle Region are thankful of the police patrols in the area. But these policemen need more powers. Too many times they have to tell the public to get a lawyer, and many of these lawyers are not nice to the public. l have been begging our government and politicians there's an urgent need for a small-claim court in St. Maarten.
There's a female landlord in Middle Region who owes me for daily work, and up to this date she has not paid me yet. Many construction workers on this Island never get paid, so
Minister of Justice, a small-claim court urgently needed.
So far, St. Maarten people feel the justice department is doing good, but a small claim court is urgently needed for those who cannot afford a lawyer. Bad paymasters are taking advantage of construction workers on the Island.
Article 33 and 59 clashes September 26 a lot of people hope government will increase the minimum wage I am monitoring the seats. I will give you a prediction of the seats in September. MFK and UP seam to be doing good on this island. Politicians, please focus on the minimum wage, salaries are too small, ball parks, and buses to start running on the east side of the island. And build community centres for the people, and don t let down the people of Middle Region.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
Please allow me an opportunity to respond to Mr. Fernando Clark’s amusing and laughable rebuttal of an opinion piece I wrote with regard to the accomplishments of the current NA-led coalition Government over the past 10 months.
Firstly, I chose anonymity simply because the reputation of Prime Minister William Marlin and the National Alliance for political retribution against their critics has been well earned and documented over the years. So please forgive me if I fear the Wrath of the Government for speaking out.
As Mr. Clark is a supporter of the current coalition Government I challenge him to publish the following data and facts:
1. The number of tourist arrivals from January to June 2016, vs. the same period in 2015.
2. The Turn over Tax revenue from January to June 2016, vs. the same period in 2015.
3. The number of reported nose, throat and lung ailments at the St. Maarten Medical Center from January to June 2016, vs. the same period in 2015.
4. The total amount of money spent by the Government promoting St. Maarten’s tourism, excluding the SHTA’s marketing initiative on TripAdvisor and Expedia, from November 2015 to now.
5. It is a matter of public record that Disney Cruise Lines announced in late June 2012 to pull out of St. Maarten after the instalment of the NA-led Government in May 2012, which did not support Disney’s proposed investment in St. Maarten.
As for the other points, Mr. Clark did not dispute NA’s candidate, Louis Laveist’s roll in the fiasco at the new Government building that has led to tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers money being wasted. At least one point we can agree on.
The Causeway, a waste of money you say? Time is a precious and finite resource we all have in life, so I would also challenge Mr. Clark to research how much time the workers at PJIAE, RBC, WIB and Sonesta Maho, and the residents that must drive to town, save on their daily commute because of the Causeway. I know that the average time saved is 20 minutes per day. It may not seem like much but please do the math.
Over a 50-week work year, our people save 84 precious hours of their lives because of the Causeway; 84 hours per year that our people can spend with their children and families instead of in traffic! Money very well spent I say!
So in closing, Mr. Clark, please publish the data, because the truth is in the numbers. If not, please leave your comedy for the stage.
Name withheld at author’s request.
