SXMElections.com

SIMPSON BAY--Democratic Party ((DP)) supporters turned out for one last public meeting at Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay last night. The nineteen candidates reiterated what they stood for, what needs to change in St. Maarten and what the party has been accomplishing so far.

Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams, (DP) #1, reiterated her views that the party had put United People’s party leaders where they are today, which was why they could shine. She asserted that without (DP), there would not be a harbour, airport, causeway, or Philipsburg “as it is today” to boast about.

In response to the criticism of (DP) being unable to make decisions, she said the party did not “make decisions unless they are the right decisions for the people of St Maarten. That is the big difference!”

“With two seats, we were able to steer the boat” and St. Maarten needs to be taken into calmer waters, she said. She asserted that people should not be intimidated by politicians, and that people were beginning to see beyond propaganda. “This Carnival on the other side of the hill is over as of August 29, the Carnival is over the, Carnival is done! … That show will come to an end and the real faces will be revealed.”

She said she was had been to hear about the alleged disrespect shown by the Minister of Public Works towards the people of Simpson Bay regarding land issues.

“It hurt me tonight when those people down there, all of them together, can tell me what has been done to them by the greed and the envy of politicians on the United People’s party list. … Could you understand the helplessness that I feel, because they have the majority in the Council of Ministers? But let me tell you something, long rope for mauger goat,” she said. “If by slight chance they get a majority in Government, imagine what your future would be like?”

(DP) #2 Minister of Health Care, Social Development and Labour Cornelius de Weever asked the audience whether St. Maarten was better off today “than we were four years ago with the Democratic Party?” citing a list of accomplishments, including the Pointe Blanche water plant, work on a mandatory pension plan, communities for the elderly and physically challenged, and the recent payment on a mobile health unit.

“They are not ready to work for you. Do you know who has been working for you and who you can trust? … There are no convicted criminals on this list, there are none of them involved in any court cases. The one they took us to yesterday, the Prime Minister won it. So guess what, they’re out of here again.”

(DP) #3 Roy Marlin, besides outlining his visions of free medical care, free education and equal job opportunities irrespective of family ties or nationality, laid down harsh criticism of UP, what he referred to as monopolies/Government-owned companies and “family dynasties.”

Any citizen should be able to vie for Prime Minister or managing director of the harbour or airport, he said. “Every citizen can go into the shipping business and there is no monopoly where just one particular family controls all the shipping business in St. Maarten.”

He said someone had told him that “the Harbour Group of Companies wrote out a cheque of US $10,000 to buy tickets for people to come from abroad, paid for by the Harbour, the company owned by us … for them to come back and vote for the UP party.” He said that when he had e-mailed Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo, Mingo had neither confirmed nor denied it, but had said to speak to his lawyer.

“As a Member of Parliament I have a right to question … and they will have to answer to the people of St. Maarten! Members of political parties cannot use government-owned companies to fund their own campaigns. … That’s why you have the Dutch Government looking over our backs,” Marlin said.

Roy Marlin mentioned 1 time
Sarah Wescot-Williams mentioned 1 time
Cornelius de Weever mentioned 1 time

Democratic Party [DP] mentioned 12 times
United People's Party [UPP] mentioned 2 times