~ UD, UP, USP and Emmanuel sign on ~ PHILIPSBURG — Stemming from the recently leaked, controversial statements of President of Parliament Rolando Brison, Party for Progress (PFP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson have called on MP Brison to resign from his position. If he does not comply, the PFP MPs have submitted a request for an urgent public meeting on the issue, where Parliament can officially remove MP Brison with a majority vote. Before submitting the request, MP Gumbs called a meeting of faction leaders on Monday afternoon, November 1, 2021, to discuss the matter…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — Former Minister of VSA Pamela Gordon-Carty on Tuesday cautioned the country’s elected representatives about the dangers of casting St. Maarten, its government and its people, as mediocre on the regional and world stage, and gain a reputation as a country that refuses to, or is incapable of dignified, ethical governing. In observing the many ongoing saga involving past and present government, Gordon-Carty had a simple reminder for all high officials, including Members of Parliament and the Council of Ministers: “Show some decency, and integrity. Be reminded of the constitutional law from the LMA AB 2010 GT no 25…
PHILIPSBURG – After careful consideration the Constitutional Court has rejected the Ombudsman’s request to void three temporary national ordinances that regulate cuts in the labor conditions for civil servants, politicians and employees in the (semi) public sector. This means that the salary-cuts, that were ratified in March of this year with retroactive effect until July 1, 2020, now have a definite legal basis. It is not possible to appeal Constitutional Court-rulings. The Ombudsman petitioned the Constitutional Court on April 26, 2021 and the government submitted its rebuttal on June 22. The court handled the case in a public hearing on…
Dear Editor, Although I am tempted to say a few things that point directly to the character of the present holder of the office of President of Parliament, I want to focus on the stature and importance of that position and office, as well as the role of the other 14 Parliamentarians. When any of the 15 Representatives of ‘We the People’, before or during their time in office, goes off the rails, it needs to be called out and dealt with, particularly when they do not have the decency to recognize their indiscretion, draw their conclusions and exit Stage…
Over the weekend, following the spreading of a recording of MP Rolando Brison making derogatory remarks regarding fellow UP party member and faction leader Grisha Heyliger-Marten, via social media, several parties in Parliament called for the immediate resignation of Brison as Chairman. The first party to immediately do so was the United St. Maarten Party (USP), followed by the United Democrats (UD) party and Independent Member of Parliament, MP Christophe Emmanuel. Remarkably, the Party for Progress (PFP) has not issued a statement regarding the ‘faux pas’ MP Brison as President of Parliament has committed. Word on the street is that…
PHILIPSBURG — On Sunday even President of Parliament Rolando Brison issued a statement saying the following: “A recording of me speaking, some of which in the privacy of my own home, in a moment of frustration, has been released by some unscrupulous individuals who have taken my already really poor choice of words, much of which was edited them to fit their political narrative and agenda.” “First, I take full responsibility for my actions and I regret the comments made. Despite making these comments in a moment of frustration, I must take responsibility for making them and the fact that…
Philipsburg, St. Maarten (October 31, 2021) – Faction leader of the United People’s Party (UP) in Parliament, Grisha Heyliger-Marten has strongly condemned the statements by her party leader, President of Parliament Rolando Brison in a recording which has gone viral on the island over the weekend.In the recording, Brison can be heard making derogatory remarks about Heyliger-Marten in company of some unidentified persons, while shredding the motions passed recently by Parliament giving specific instructions to the Minister of VROMI, Egbert Jurendy Doran regarding a proposed housing project.“I am very disappointed and highly offended by his remarks,” MP Heyliger-Marten said. “It…
PHILIPSBURG — Upon hearing the recent audio of MP Brison, the UD Board reacted, stating that “this should not surprise anyone, as MP Brison continues to exude narcissistic traits and clearly lacks even a basic understanding of the responsibilities of a leader, especially of the public office of President of Parliament.” This is in the opinion of the UD Board “vintage Rolando” and this behavior should not be tolerated. It’s disgusting to hear the president of parliament insult and ridicule members of parliament in a most objectionable manner. His explanation for this embarrassment is neither here or there and only shows his utter disdain for the…
PHILIPSBURG — The board of the United St. Maarten (US) party has called on Chairperson of Parliament MP Rolando Brison to resign immediately as President of Parliament and not further shame and embarrass the country. The board also called on all factions in Parliament to show the people of St. Maarten that their highest body stands for integrity and end the soap opera antics of MP Brison and the consequences which St. Maarten suffers. “Enough is enough,” the board said on the heels of a video that has circulated all over the world of Brison denigrating MP Grisha Heyliger-Marten, boldly…
As the INTEGRITY Advancement Movement Foundation, I have been watching and keenly observing all that has been happening and developing on Sint Maarten; in and out of all Levels of Government, within the Private Sector, our Communities and Neighborhoods, our Churches and Religious Denominations, our Schools, as well as within our Homes and Families. All from INTEGRITY Perspectives. And when I sum it all up, words like, a) Good upbringing, b) Respecting our elders, authorities, and leaders, c) Being honest with each other, d) Correct behavior, e) A good role model and one of good example, f) Transparent in what…
