St. Maarten Private Eye

You yourself said in an earlier post that "I have read many postings on this website and this one is truly good as it sets the record straight."

You are so obsessed with trying to sugar-coat what you call a "semblance of conflict of interest" to the point of being an over-zealous maria fanatic all over this blog.

Calm down, keep your blood pressure down, sleep a little.

Sugarcoating I leave for the candy makers. Semblence of a conflict of interest is what it TRULY is. That's what the governor said, the laws states it (REMEMBER EVERYONE STATED IT'S NOT UNLAWFUL) and the executive council stated it. But then again that's not WHAT you want to hear. You want to hear "conflict of interest".
I started off on this blog as the lone ranger exposing the TRUE FACTS. Today I'm not alone anymore and those that find I'm an over-zealous Maria fanatic seem just simply not to want to hear the TRUTH. Remember the saying; "THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE"

So true Truthful and pleae keep telling us the truth, there are others who need and wants to hear the true facts and would like to be set free.

I also would like to correct myself. I too keep talking of conflict of interest while it should be semblence of....... I hereby correct and ad semblence before each statement I made with reference to same.

ADV ;(

The fact that you 'have no problem' with nepotism sort of says it all really. I guess you have no problem with Politicians using 'Foundations' to collect 'Donations' from businesses in order to promote themselves either? Or using public companies to finance projects that make them look good?

Sarah said in Friday's headline that "Corporate Governance on SXM will never be the same', about damn time too!

You think separate status is more important that having an open transparent accountable government with integrity? I guess you also agree with Sarah that it trumps having a police force with integrity too?

Gawd help us, thankfully I think there are fewer people like you everyday.

Oh, and this is not about one party, its about all of them. If the NA get in then they can expect exactly the same scrutiny and exposure here if they decide to operate in the same manner.

Hady

Well I'll be darn!! It seems that slowly but SURELY the community will truly find out what's going on in the TELEM group of companies including Smitcoms. I was ammused by the 2 articles of mr. Ferrier and Mr Tuitt to say the least. Let's review article each article:
Mr. Micheal FERRIER says of 3 scenario's but conviently forgot the ONE he seems to be speerheading. Together with another TELEM boardmember who's also a manager in the group of companies of NC WATHEY they are trying their utmost to cloudy the water about the true issue. IT"S ABOUT THE FIBER OPTIC CABLE people and who got what and what Buncamper seems to have uncovered. He has a god to serve and thatgod is the boss of that company where this good boardmember works. So ya see as I said once before "SOOOOO the cookie crumbles"
Now let's go to Mr. Tuitt's article.
It's amazing how we forget who was in office when that famous switch was bought for TELEM that was nearly the end of the company. It was Mr. William Marlin and his crew of boys. Since that time TELEM hasn't and presently still doesn't have signed books by certified auditors. That's why they can't get a NORMAL loan and must be dealing with bandits like Merit at 10% interest for a loan at CITI bank. Mr. Tuitt as an accountant couldn't even do the books at Turning Point but he's talking about Telem. If you want an accounting job at the company then say so.
OOHHHH NO I forgot he applied for the CEO position and is now upset that Maria decided to use a change manager to get the company up and running to then turn it over to a qualified CEO. (that's not YOu for sure. You bankrupped everything you've put your hands on, including government when you were the commissioner of finance)
As you can read above both gentlemen have reasons to write their articles but again not based on facts but more based on wishful thinking.

Hey truthful...you need to just hush. Lets say those things did happen, yippee, great, whetaver...but WHAT does it have to do with the conflict of interest!!! You see I just wrote a letter for the herald. This kinda behaviour is stupid. Just admit there was a conflict and be silent. She and the Exco admitted the "semblance" of a conflict. Great, whatever. Leave it there then. Comments like this, if she was to repeat them, would make her look vindictive and infantile. There is a time for everything. When the IC meeting on Telem comes up, that would be the time. I do NOT believe Maria should leave. Not by any means. The woman is a worker. But I do however think that she, her husabnd and some of her supporters need to shut up until the process is complete. For the love of GOD!!

J. Baptiste

I totally agree with you when you say Maria should not leave...She should reconsider her resignation and then she should be re-appointed. I think this situation would make her even more stronger and more experienced. She will understand that politics is played on the very floor of the island council.

Maria was elected by the people of St. Maarten not the National Alliance and I believe they should not have a say to make her resign!!! Let the people be the judges when its election time... Look, Maria have been doing quite a good job since sitting in office. She should not leave!!!!

ADV ;(

dear dear Hady,

Nepotism.... hhhhmmmm a powerfull word.

You see, some of us have found out the hard way that it is of great essence to commit an act of nepotism at some point, if we want to survive in this cruel hard world of envy, hate, greed, ill wishes and powerstruckness.

Please do not get me wrong here, I AM STILL NOT CONVINCED that there was any act of nepotism regarding the commissioner. Unless someone could give me the full details, based on what the description of nepotism stands for, that same was commited by the commissioner, I refuse to make any charges of same towards her. She did not place him there, he was appointed by a council. I still feel that he should not have resigned.

Do you feel that he was not qualified to fill the post ??????? Is anyone even looking at the fact that he might have been one of the best men for the job ????
Take him to task, educate all board members of good governance, but resignation, vote of non confidence, oh realy, phulease.
I feel that more study should be put into that word, nepotism, rather than just using it for using name sakes.

Then, in my eyes, the commissioner does not need a foundation to make her look good. She is doing a great job, in government, and that is what is making her look good. Hardly anyone, local (voters like myself), even knew that she was on the foundation, untill this whole dramatization. Now they will make her look even better, if that was at all possible. Do you at least agree that she has been trying her best to get the job done ?????

what could have been more open and transparant than Mr. Buncamper signing that letter. At least he is not one of those hypocrites who hides behind someone elses signature. He did not mix the one with the other. It was an annual thing (for 3 years). Not like he got there and decided, hey telem has to sponsor us now. The foundation is not his, it is a foundation.

And yes, coorperate governance is changing, all over the world, or havent you noticed ?.
Ref. police, I feel that a bit more visibility and patroll activities would be of more importance for us the general public and let the politicians handle the politics. W have heard the same cries of understaffing for years. So maybey Maria could give some advise on how to better organize and work with what we have huh ??????

We have elections every 4 years. who fails will fall out. The oposition is also doing a fantastic job of keep a watchfull eye on matters, I must applaud them too.

I also feel that at this point all parties should join forces to resolve our political crisis at hand rather than trying to get rid of people who are actually willing and working for the betterment of this Island. And if this situation was pertaining to any other politician doing a good job, I would be writing the same exact article about them now.

In closing, rather than the commissioner being accused of nepotism, the whole Island should be resigning, including us the voters, we all have our preferences and we commit nepotism each election and vote for our preferences.
During elections all politicians and I do mean all, go out and solicit donations to make them shine and look good in the eyes of the voters.
The key clubs, lions, rotary, jaycees kiwanis enz. all solicit donations to fund their prefered projects and make them shine.
I can go on and on. Hey guys, lets all do the right thing and resign from doing anything to help the island any further, we are all nepotists.

you say poteeto, I say potato. You see less people like, I see more poeple like me. and so we go on. I am pleased if only just a few think like me, together we might make a positive change and takle the issues head on.

Hey, we live in a democracy so I do hope that I am still entitled to my own opinion and my freedom of speech.

I am truly amazed at the level of ignorance of some people. However, I am conceding the fact that we can't win all battles. Some are hopeless. So I am happy to champion the fight for good governance, transparency and accountability. Enlightening idiots is a cause left for people with more patience than I have.

So let me put it this way: not because something has been done a certain way in the past - even for generations - means we have to continue doing so today and in the future. The Buncamper/Telem affair was the perfect opportunity for heralding in a new era in corporate governance. It was not about the persons involved, it was about the principle of the matter.

In this light, I must commend Mikey for the daring and bold approach of publicly voicing his opinions about a fellow DP member and politician. I knew something like this was forthcoming, because I kept reading between the lines of what Sarah was saying and she was being very diplomatic and tactful in hiding her true feelings about this whole Buncamper affair.

I was wondering who in the DP top echelons Sarah would get to send in an opinion letter condemning the Bumcampers behaviour and holding the DP hostage. Who would be so brave. The fact that this is happening, irregardless of whatever party intrige may be ongoing within the DP, this is a good thing.

More DP members should speak up. They know they want to. No matter what your political affiliation, people should remain vigilant and critical of each other, especially when it come to (party) politics, government and the people's business.

Finally, I must make it clear that we will forever be vigilant and where necessary be critical no matter who is in power in goverment, whether it be a DP, NA or PPA led government.

The next cause I want to champion is seperating the function of Island Councilmember from that of Executive Councilmember unified in one person. It is time the St. Maarten Island Council stop electing Commissioners from their own midst to be on the Executive Council. En route to country status, start seperating the legislative branch from the executive branch.

As far as I am concerned, Marietje can stay on as Island Council member, but not as Commissioner. Her strength so far has been in the legislative branch. The DP once again has the opportunity to show the people of St. Maarten that it can rise above party politics by nominating a professional to the post of Commissioner to replace Marietje.

Well Amen to that statement! It is refreshing to read some intelligent thoughts here on this forum.
Although it appears that others who are blinded by the red light will try and twist every nook and cranny even stooping so low by stating that nepotism is a highfalutin word. Well what i can I say? that SXM is divided by the haves and haves nots? or by the ignoramus and intelligentsia?
SXM people have to understand that ANYONE can make statements as to any politics, politics is the peoples business. CNN, FOX news and other media have political analysts all the time commenting on presidential candidates, foreign affairs just to name a few. These people are merely commentators just like the writers here.
So sorry people, but by attacking George MacGee that he was not elected so he cannot make comments and make his political analysis is simply wrong and childish.
Shall we try to make an effort and grow up please? so that we can make this Country Status work? Although I am sorry to report that how our island politics is going these days I see this more as a Country hallucination. We can most probably expect higher supervision of the entire government before our children will see any Country Status.

Monday's fiasco of an Island Council meeting with no quorom is another good example why an Island Council member should not be an Executive Council member. There are valid reasons for an Executive Council member to be off-island. Whether it be for medical reasons, going about the government's business or for personal reasons. But if we had an Island Council consisting solely of dedicated people's representatives, the people's business could have been debated publicly on Monday so that the people could know what is going on.

Instead Executive Council members scrambled to disappear in order to conveniently avoid facing the situation head on and putting this whole affair behind them once and for all. Sticking your head in the sand and hoping problems will quielty go away is not a sign of an effective government. Come on Sarah, shape up. Whip your team into place. The people deserve better than that.

Why don't Theo resign as commissioner, since April 27th 2007 he ís (mostly) off island for medical reasons, why don't he (DP) appoint someone for the position, since he is never on the island to represent the people of St. Maarten!!

(I think you'll find Theo able to show he has been on the island and attending to business much more recently than April 2007. Of course, you could maybe argue about that business and just how hard he has worked, but I think you have a very weak argument in your call for him to be replaced. At least right now. Regardless of how you feel about his policies and government, I think we all wish him health and to get well. - Flipper)

THe school children say Mr Theodore is in Asia on a Business trip. Every local newsprint you read says that he is Florida taking care of health concerns, although this may have been true, the word is that he's in China.

If that's so than the whole scenario's is becoming quit clear. It's starting with people being off island when votes are going down (to outs Maria) and who's supporting who in the upcoming Telem scandle of fraud and embezzlement.
Isn't Franky (former com. Telem) in bed with Brenda and isn't Mickey Ferrier in bed with Joyce (Brenda's mom)?
Now I'm starting to see the light in this web of deciet real good. Maria should dump those darn people and move on alone. Her intergrity is being damaged by others for their personal gain.

Lucky Saba, Statia and Bonaire I say.

LH

Wait just one minute Mr. MacGee. No matter your opinion don't become a Jack___ and start calling people names because they don't agree with your opinion. I for one also don't agree with your opinion because from day one it was not about a conflict of interest but A SEMBLENCE of conflict of interest. And as usual you'll state that we don't understand the whole matter and the principle of good governance and ethics and all the rest. I'm willing to understand it once you show me we're it's written that way that you're professing. By the way check Robert's rule of order and see what it means and then apply it.
Thank god we don't have judges like you because the whole world would be in jail. It's ironic that you find Mickey's letter to the editor to be Sarah's opinion. You seem to be a navigator within the DP party. Mickey doesn't speak for Sarah point. She speaks for herself. Mickey only wants back in that's his problem. The last election if you can recall he was replaced by Julian Rollocks as Sarah's campaign manager. You know why? Untrustable!!!!
Mickey is for Mickey let no obne fool you otherwise. Check his mistress connection and you'll see his true interest. Mickey doesn't care about DP nor the Aliance (that's were he came from actually, well the SPA) , Mickey cares about Mickey and that's it.
I do agree with your statement on the seperation of functions of island council and commissioner. Then we'll see who will sit as commissioner knowing an IDIOT can send them packing with all his/hervotes that elected thhim/herand that IDIOT. So you see there's more that meets the eye when it comes to that type of easy talk.

ahem, .... Mr. George Macgee ...

Am I, as one of the majority voters in last election, not one of the people of sxm. how many votes did you get to speak on behalf of the people of sxm.

I most certainly did not elect or ask you to speak on my behalf.

Unlike the dictatorial mentally of our so many so called intellectuals, who have no time to enlighten idiots, commissioner Buncamper has proven her true democratic mentally, she resigned.

this idiot, who you certainly do not speak on behalf of maintain that Maria should reconsider her decission and stay as a commissioner. Who would that professional be to replace her, YOU ...... well I most certainly hope not or of your likes, it would certainly be a sad day for the majority idiots of this Island.

ADV ;(
(a dumb voter ;( )

Hey Flip,

The dumbing down of SXMPE is underway. Starting sound like old Herald mesaage board. Do something. Yours,

J. Baptiste.

Yes, arguments are getting heated and I would like to remind everyone to try to respect others rights to express their opinions. We can disagree of course, but we prefer everyone do so without calling other names or being personal and rude, try to keep it factual and smart.
That said, as you know, I don't like to censor anyone and we haven't had to do it for quite a while now, which to me is a good sign. The idea is that this is a forum, not only for people to write, but also just to sit and read, as with most online forums only about 5% or less of the visitors actually write, the rest just read. Therefore, regardless which side of an argument or discussion you stand, you should always try to make your case as best you can. Others reading will come to their own conclusions based on what they read.

Stay Irie people.

Flipper

As far as I am concerned and what I observed, Maria is the only Government Official that has the Island and the people at heart. Although I was denied the renewal of my residency permit (according to Samantha Laurent of Mischmar Agency on Illidge Rd) and I am bitter towards the Lt. Governors stupid policy with N.V's (not all N'V's are alike and not all Black People look alike), what a waste of a Law Degree when he doesn't use common sense, although I am bitter and angry at the treatment the Island gave me for all the good that I did, Vice President of Animals R Friends, being a Lion and volunteering for just about anything to better the Island etc, Instead of thank you, I got F--k you very much, and had to leave the Island like a thief in the Middle of the night. I was frightened to go to our Lions meeting, thinking I would get stoped by Immigration and end up in Jail and wondering how my Dog's were going to get fed. I really felt betrayred, but I am sure I am not the first. and won;t be the last. I do hope that is not Nation building consists of, if so the Island is doomed. Stop blaming Curacao, the only laugh at Sint Maarten, because they know of the stupid mentally.

I still beliveve that Maria is the only Government official that really has the Island at heart, the others are blatant theives. Theo is an educated Closet Queen Crook, Louie is a down right thief and let's not forget REoy Marlin, aside from being a jerk, he can';t even look you in the face while he is lying, which of course most of the time, and let's not forget the oppostion have learned from the rest. So the Dutch should clean house completely before Status. The thieves can retire in Anquilla or somewhere remote, as they will always have to watch thier back.

Keep up the good work Maria!!!!!!

Dear Mr.LarryGeer,

While I applaud your support for commissioner Maria, I felt the need to correct a statement made in your letter.

You mentioned that according to "Ms. Samantha Laurant of Mischmar Agency on Illidge rd." your residency renewal was denied.

I do understand the frustrations and disappointment of your situation and hope that you have resolved matters by now, however I must advice you of the fact that Ms. Samantha Laurant is not nor has she ever been an employee of Michmar Agencies. Had she been or you a client of this company you would have spelled the name correctly. Neither am I familiar with your name as a client of our company (michmar agencies).

Ms. Samantha Laurant was employed, untill her resignation by own free will on May 16th, 2008, with another company who occupies office space in the same building as Michmar Agencies. The management of Michmar had no direct link with the services or administration of the company at which Ms. Laurant was employed.

I realy do not see the relevance of that statement being made in your letter, however I simply wanted to correct you on that point.

Hoping to have sufficiently informed you,

I remain, respectfully,

MLB.
Managing Director of
Michmar Agencies.

Sorry Larry, while I respect your opinion, I fail to see the logic in your comment. Maria is part of the same government that denied your papers, while we all had expectations for her, she enables the others to do what they do. While it's all well to be giving money to good things, you need to look at what the other hand is doing.

Take for example the biorock reef in Divi which Sky itl sponsored, yet at the same time the government she is part of permits massive environmental damage all over the island. Where is the Marine Ordinance? The Monument Ordinance, the news that EWE has been purchased to become SXM's National Park. Where is the Animal Ordinance? The Sewage network plans? Who is responsible for the over flowing dump and poor management of it causing toxic smoke clouds for the people of the island. Why has GEBE no plans to find alternative energy?

Do you hear anyone asking these questions of pushing for them to be resolved? I'm talking about the opposition too by the way. I'm sorry, but I haven't seen Maria do very much of real consequence in these issues, haven't heard her speak out or champion them. First time she spoke about Climate Change was a few months ago and connected with health implications, not the causes that SXM contributes to with no conservation or plans for cleaner energy.

The conflict of interest was there from the beginning, but either she or her husband wanted a top level position. Do you remember way back in Auguest 2006 when Maria rocked the boat and even caused Roy Marlin to hand in his resignation. All because her husband didn't get the ROB position, the maturity displayed was the ability to make a deal for another position later on. It wasn't a maturity of democratic process or integrity.

So, while it's great that Maria's Foundation did many good things, the point is that it is a political tool, used to enhance her image and vote count. Right now there appears to be a major investigation into these foundations and we will see what comes out. Please, spare me the Maria is a Saint.

LH

I dont care what her foundation does as long as its done for we local St. Maarteners. Maria husband was not the issue nor her foundation...the opposition intentions was to destroy her...Yes, the prediction of her vote count in any upcoming elections is a threat to the opposition so I could understand why they want her out

So who ask, you are ok with corruption, nepotism and conflict of interest as long as it benefits the local population? God help us all, I sometimes give great thought to the low level of education and infantile attitude as well as lack of wisdom on the part of our people. Instead of maturing and educating themselves I fear our people are sometimes too stupid for words. Yes I know these are harsh words but a reality check is needed here. I understand that some of you love Commissioner Maria Buncamper and personally I don't feel she is a terribly bad person, but lets see the reality for what it is. Her husband is her liability and he has caused her political career to be tarnished and as another writer here proved in a news clipping this is not the first time although this time it is more severe.
Her husband wanted to be head of Public Works (not ROB as writer points out) He is already head of ROB which is one sector under Public Works umbrella.
But please can we look at this issue in a open and clear manner without being blinded by the light?
Another rumor is that the Sky's the Limit books are being cooked, as people on the street are saying that the $25.000 from TELEM was not used for carnival as Nagico and others had paid enough donations to Skys the Limit to cover the Calypso show. We shall see, the soap continues I am sure for another few weeks.

Correction:

Claudius "Toontje" Buncamper is Head of the Maintenance department which falls under sector ROB (ROB is also referred to as Public Works). The sector director (head) of ROB is Joseph Dollisson. Toontje has to report to Dollisson. Toontje wanted to have the ROB sector director's function but did not get it, Dollisson did. Maria caused a big bachanal over this and treatened to leave the DP party with her votes (and it being such a closely contested election, the NA would've had the majority with Maria's votes). They decided to calm her down with the board position for Toontje at Telem.

Based on analysing this entire situation...I can conclude that corruption was never the case, Maria husband was never the issue...it was a simple effort by the opposition to politically destroy Maria. PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!

I SAY AGAIN LAY OFF MARIA!!!

The same ones who talking bout she corrupted ..they too is corrupted!!!

But you seem to not want to discuss the facts and issues of the situation, instead you claim it's political and motivated only to bring her down. Please can you give more details on your 'analysis' of the situation and why you come to the conclusion you do. Please try not to leave out the important parts though because I would like to hear why you see them differently that most people I know.

Mojo

I hereby distance myself from the whole situation for it gets me real emotional
Nevertheless, God Bless You All and God Bless St. Maarten!!!

I for one will never tell anyone to lay off as that's their democratic right top speak up. Saying the correct and honest thing is not their right (we very often don't do it anyway) but it would be showing integrity and it would be ethical. Out of your writting you seem to portray that.
Let's look at the facts once again not only from a legal view but also from a ethical and for everyone sake from a moral point of view.
1. Maria nominates her husband claudius Buncamper for a position on the board and the executive council approves this nomination. Legally nothing is wrong because it was checked out by the governor for legallity. ethically i would also say it doesn't look good putting your husband on a board you should have political responsibility over. Morally again it can be questionable.

2.Husband sign's a check as a member of the organizing committe for the show King of Kings donation. Mr. Buncamper is NOT a member of the foundation (that's the change the councilmen were discussing yesterday at the meeting that the motion was not the same) His wife was at that point in time a member of the board of the Sky is the Limit. The management of Telem approved the check. The board DID NOT have anytrhing to do with the approval of this check. Mr. Buncamper seems to have prediscussed the amount with Mr. Mingo in connection with most probably the advertising aspect of the show. Legally nothing wrong once again. ethically yes we can rise eyebrowes and say why would you not let someone else sign the letter requesting the donation and pick up the check. Call your wife on stage as an honorary member of the organization(then you're really playing politics) and charge US$ 25,- at the gate like everyone else did. They claim that they used the monies from themselves is the biggest joke I heard so far. The show costed to what I understood including the CD for about 10 calypsonians about US$ 85.000,-. Telem only gave 25.000,- and Nagico gave as can recall reading in the papers 13.000,-. So do the math. and you'll notice that they didn't have money to spare. Morally nothing was wrong as it was a sponsorship for a show and nothing else.
When these things continue to become clearer, which believe me they will in the very near future we will see what this whole charade was all about.
3. Maria has no remorse, is arrogant, gave a lame apology etct etc.
My feeling was and now is only getting stronger that she should have never apologized for something she didn't do. Not because one person or a group of persons finds something unethical MAKES it is unethical. The churches don't believe in abortus and other things. Are they illigal NO. Are they unethical; YES. Are they Morally correct NO. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO are we going to lynch them too.
Grow up people, society has changed over the years and so have we people. And for those that believe that we cannot see the real issue open your eyes and look man. You cannot be that blind. But then again ignorance can be blinding.

You really don't see anything wrong with the situation and how this government governs? Just another political Witch Hunt eh?

Remember back in the old days, when explorers would trade with natives on the islands with glass beads and trinkets, often in exchange for gold and other valuable goods? OK, it was mainly in the Pacific, but the point is this. You seem satisfied with a few trinkets and handouts, while at the same time this government has created the minority situation locals find themselves in today.

Now I understand better why the island is in the state it is in now.

LH

The Justice file and related threads can be found here:
Justice - Police - Crime

For not having the wisdom to understand that the issue is about good governance, that it really matters absolutely NOTHING what was done with the money. But it's ok, like a moth, you follow the light. Fish and Baker Jr are in your camp too, but they got theirs so that's understandable, they clearly don't have a clue what it's all about either. Maria's lame half hearted apology last week and her statements today in the IC meeting show just how little integrity she really has. It was wrong to appoint her husband in the first place and it's crystal clear to me that it was a payback for him not getting the ROB job last year.

In fact, the whole DP demonstrated today for the hundredth time that none of them really get it, they are living in the past, clinging onto their old ways, scheming, back room deals, nepotism, cronyism and self interest above that of the island and it's future.

There is lots more to come, you better go buy your box of tissues now. Reports are reaching me of a wide range investigation into several commissioners and their 'foundations', not just Laveist. Today I chatted with several merchants on Front Street about it, they told me that they made donations to his foundation because they felt under pressure and intimidated by the hot shot top nobs in the IMA and others. They gave because they don't want problems they next time the need a work permit of license.

It is my understanding that Louie, who reminds me of Winnie the Pooh, with little brain, has been spending that money on himself, or his mistresses, one of which recieved a $20,000 bedroom set from a well known Indian store here. How much truth is there to this? Who knows, personally it wouldn't surprise me in the least, but if anything, it demonstrates an urgent need to regulate this sector.

You really should get your eyes checked because you seem to be blinded by the 'good' things that Maria and Sky is the Limit Foundation have done, with money that is now, to me, questionable. Where does the money come from? Can you not see that a huge part of it is about publicity and image, getting votes, and it makes it possible to hide bribes, extortion and favors?

So no, sorry, i won't lay off Maria, nor will I lay off any of the others, that includes the NA too, while they managed to score this time, they completely fail to impress or inspire. More than a few of them are just waiting for their turn at the trough anyway. This is about establishing accountability, transparency, integrity and democracy in St. Maarten, these people need to realize that and get on board if they want to stay relevant, and in power.

Sometimes people do stupid things and they suffer consequences, it happens to us all. Maria is getting hers and, as someone who used to have a higher opinion of her, I'm sad and disappointed in her, and for her. But hey, she asked for it and from how she spoke today has convinced me she deserves it. Spinning away like a little top she was, it's called obsfucating and it's about the concealment of the obvious in layers of the unnecessary. She scored points there!

Hady

Hady, I stay above your comment, I wont stoop to it but what makes you think the PPA will operate government any better than DP or NA?

I say to you, I will go way ABOVE this for the SKY IS THE LIMIT!!!!

Gracita would have to rebuild the party and redefine herself before I took much notice. I'm sorry, but I have high expectations and standards when it comes to elected officials and I haven't found one yet that scored very high.

Hady

Maybe you should become a elected official and see if you can score high...let's see if you can back up what you talk here. Lets see what you as a citizen will do to ensure that good governance is carried out.

Hady, the same mistress that received a $20.000 furniture set also received a bus license. This is word on the street and people are saying Ms.Mistress with the child leased out the bus license to someone else. This is not only corruption to the core, it is also killing off the local man that could use a bus license.
Instead a Haitian by-side of Laveist secures a bus license and never uses it, no she leases it out to most probably another of her country folk. A never ending pot of corruption here, no way we are ready for country status, instead we are ripe for higher supervision. And as another writer here wrote, if you ballin that you dont want a Dutch man, look around you and see how our own locals have f****d it up and embarrassed us in the process.

First she resigns in a last ditched effort to hang on to her seat as her party would not have accepted her resignation and next week it would have been business as usual for her as a commissioner. Then she is booted out by the oppossition in a 5 in favor and 4 against no-confidence vote.

The question is: now what? Probably island council man de Weever will take up the empty seat and some lame duck DP member will be put in the island council's benches.

Does this really help the man on the street? No not really. The dust will settle after the summer recess and people will probably have other things on their minds by then. So not before long, they will choose to do as so they please.

A bold step is needed to remove all commissioners that voted in favor of blatant conflicts of interest, self-dealing and raping the island for their own personal gain. For that matter the entire island council can be given the boot for all I care as the NA plays along with DP as long as they're given a piece of the pie.

We need new blood people.....we might even need higher supervision in the mean time....and before you start ballin' about we don't want the Dutch in our kitchen: please consider the current mess your government has put you in...

Island Guru
"Trust Me"

forgot to add:

7: Maria can just say to hell with this bull! ...if the gonna crucify you for a well intentioned donation to calypso,,..imagine what they are REALLYcapable of.

Just for clarity since I realize that some people don't fully understand what happened:

1. The Island Council voted to "accept" the motion as presented today. Not to remove Maria.
2. That motion will be brought back in another meeting of the Island Council to be officially voted on. This is stated by law.
3. Although the Commissioner resigned, the Executive Council still has to deliberate and accept or reject this resignation. In fact, Sarah Wescott-Williams I just heard on radio has asked Maria to re-consider.
4. Maria in turn can be re-appointed as Commissioner.
5. She would have to re-tract the resignation before being re-appointed else, who are they re-appointing.
6. We are not at the point to discuss anybody filling her seat since she would have to outright reject re-appointment which the DP will surely want to do.

Now of course the headlines will read Maria resigns and that will leave an impression in people's mind that she has been "booted out", but this process is FAR from over.

On a personal note. I think that it is sad that in a year of only good work, this one donation to a group of people who dont get a penny from the business sector, is what brought a good person and community servant to this point. She admitted that in retrospect it could have been done better. Nobody is paying attention to this mea culpa though. But the vigor that the opposition went after her with, ugly politics, even mocking her as if she was crying on the floor of the Council was wow. Really wow. Politics of destruction on its highest level and over-reaching to the lowest level.

I wish you well Maria, even if you are back or not. And I do not believe that the people will forget the ugly display against her. But, thats just me.

J. Baptiste

I did not forget the ugly display and horror show against Gracita Arrindell when William Marlin was un leashing nasty personal remarks against her person in an island council meeting. But you Baptiste was quite satisfied with the attacks against Gracita. Now you come here to cry about Maria being victim to nasty politics? No matter how much damage control you think you can do to protect and serve your favorite Commissioners and maybe even your job, the fact remains that politics is nasty, and it has reached low levels before and this will not be the last time. The only difference is this time it is Maria Buncamper Molanus.

The personal ideals and self-interested motivations of politicians are frequently contrasted with their occasional sense of idealism and a desire to be seen to improve things and doing good for the community through their many foundations, but ultimately the politician sees his or her re-election as the only endorsement of their success and in order to garner enough funds to finance their re-election campaigns, he or she for the duration of their elected term must go about achieving the sole objective whilst in public office: self-enrichment.

Maria: Fraud, corruption runs through
the veins of the Dutch government

See : http://www.mariabuncamper.com/Article.php?nr=49

PHILIPSBURG--Commissioner Of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus minced no words yesterday while stating that the WODC report should have no bearing on constitutional developments on St. Maarten. The Commissioner called the report unscientific and a quintessential example of “the pot calling the kettle black”. She made her comments during the Island Council meeting.
The Commissioner stated firmly that “fraud and corruption in Holland runs through the veins of the Dutch Government and the Dutch business sector”. To support her statement she outlined several instances of corruption by the Dutch using facts and documents from the National Police Internal Investigation Department or “Rijksrecherche”, corruption and anti-corruption polices in Holland, as well as statements by former Dutch Minister of Interior Ien Dales among others.
“It comes from all sides, from people getting paid under the table for (informal) labor to misusing the social welfare system, just to name a few,” Buncamper-Molanus said.
“In the Netherlands the biggest scandal was that of the construction fraud which implicated construction companies and Dutch civil servants and involved enormous amounts of money. And what are the penalties for all these fraudulent actions, you guest it indeed, monetary fines which were just fractions of the amounts swindled. And then there are narcotics or drugs: The Netherlands is the largest transshipment point in the whole of Europe, just Google it,” she added.
She continued by explaining that since the National Integrity System has been established in Holland in 1992 (there was none before this), a number of integrity violations has been distinguished in Holland. These include, but are not limited to, bribing, fraud & theft, manipulation of information, discrimination and sexual harassment and waste and abuse of resources.
“Police officers who have been trained in the arrest of dangerous suspects work as security officers, lawyers act as substitute judges and are then colleagues of judges who must deal with their demanded sentences in their next civil case, police were discovered to have financed their actions with criminal money, construction companies divide work amongst themselves, agree on possible tenders, and compensate one another for orders they do not get, thus by-passing the workings of the market. Apparently they made use of forged and counterfeit documents and possibly civil servants who were bribed so that they would supply them with crucial information, it goes on and yes, in Holland,” Buncamper-Molanus,” pointed out.
The Commissioner said the National Alliance faction in the Island Council, who requested yesterday’s meeting, has to evaluate their own reaction to the WODC report and the effect of their reaction on St. Maarten’s quest for separate status.
“Perhaps this is a setup, because politicians in the Netherlands Antilles, will do anything to opposing parties to get in government. So, if the Dutch Government has a plan to delay the constitutional process on St. Maarten in particular, knowing the crab syndrome that exists on these islands, then all they would have to do is plant a seed,” she said.
“In this case the suspicion of massive corruption by every man woman and child on St. Maarten and have the politicians here fight it out and dig their own graves, St. Maarten’s grave. There is no delicate way of putting this, it is what it is.
She continued: “Corruption is horrible, terrible and should not be tolerated it eventually causes demise of your country, your people and must be dealt with. Are we expected to react to a report that makes insinuations based on sketchy facts? Or should we use our scarce and precious time to prepare our island for country status, so that we can incorporate in our laws, since the central government has not found it fit to do so upon our request, to allow us to obtain financing from financial institutions, like Curacao can. Perhaps that should have been the topic of discussion today.”
The Commissioner concluded by asking: “Why are politicians afraid to talk about these issues publicly? Should we be afraid that our homes will be raided and that something will be found, perhaps that we urinated in an ally 20 years ago which is in violation of the APK – Algemeen Politie Keur (General Police Regulation) , or that some of us gamble more than we should. be.
“So should the WODC report have any impact on the constitutional developments, it shouldn’t. Perhaps the European Dutch and the Antillean Dutch deserve each other, you decide, but please do so with all the facts. A member of the Dutch press core said it best: the Antilles do not have to put on any penitential garment yet, and can point to the Dutch with regards to their own scandalous facts.”

See : http://www.mariabuncamper.com/Article.php?nr=49

I have read many postings on this website and this one is truly good as it sets the record straight. Commissioner Maria Buncamper from day one has talked out about corruption in government and also on het website. Maria was and is bold enough to speak up across the bord. It has consequences for her and her family. When all is said and done about this SEMBLENCE of "conflict of interest" we will truly know if we should once again "TRUST ME".
All the roads lead to Rome and this one will be no different. Maria didn't do anything wrong. Not because you think or believe it's wrong means it's wrong. I'm sure that's the most difficult aspect to deal with in everyone's daily life.
On that note I want to ask Mr. GOOD GOVERNACE Mr. Franklin Richards what happened yesterday?
If I follow what is being said (newspaper and radio) you made a complete blunder of the meeting. Stop grinning on tv and do your job. It looked like yesterday when councilman Leroy de Weever and Commissioner Laveist told you not to use the motion presented to you, higher powers we're intervenning on your behalf. Your arrogance took over and you had to ONCE again let everyone know that NOTHING and/or NOBODY is smarter than you. ( I can clearly remember your wars with Gracita Arrindell)
Well guess what? You seem not to know the law that well after all. Do the right thing. After embarresing yourself yesterday please do the right thing and correct your mistake. The oppositions behavior (let's be clear WIlliam Marlins's behavior) in the island council meeting these last 2 weeks are enough of embarressment for the island for a while. Remember this saying well for it will help many people in life " A man is not a failure because he failed. A man is a failure when he starts blamming others for his failure'. Do the humble thing and correct your mistake. Your not the first governor to make a mistake nor will you be the last. A working man makes mistake, an ideal man doesn't make mistakes as he not doing nothing.

Why everybody picking on poor Maria and her Sky is the limit Foundation?.
Everybody want to destroy poor Maria and her husband. All they did use the Carnaval and the poor Calypsonians to replenish the Foundations account to help the island.( Everybody tired and drunk all the time) You must admit: They have done some good for the calypsonians. Every citizen is aware Telem has always been the politicians cash cow. Everybody does it. That is the norm when you are in St.Maarten government. Trust me! The problem is: As commissioner of Telecommunications you must not let your own husband take part in the game. Because if you do, it becomes a scam.

Some of the paid ghost writers, press secretaries and spin doctors claim Maria did nothing wrong under the law. She nor her hubby were not members of the Foundaition. (damn lie) I wonder if her foundation got some of the attention poor Uncle Lou Lou is getting from the Federal Detectives we might have an entire different issue to discuss on this blog.

Those Federal Detectives might want to know how much money was collected from The Big donors like NA Campaign manager Franches -co, Uncle Saro, De Jingis , Betonbouw, windward Roads and MNO Vervat.....The next question would be: How this money was disbursed?

Imagine who would be in the bathroom all day with a case of toilet paper, telling the detectives to follow the paper trail.

These foundations are definately causing the politicians some stress these days.
What I don't like is the fact that when they get caught, they want to bring down the whole damn government with them. All at once they start talking about how much corruption is going on in TELEM. We hear Maria mention on the floor of the island council about corruption from top to bottom. Since then we hear about Fiber Optic Cable, we hear about boardmembers working to protect people etc. Well in colloquial english we would say: they want to lock up every bitch and their brother, now they got caught with Their hand in the cookie jar. Just a bit of serious advice: Modern day culture is a bit different than the old time way. You rocking the boat and these days Snitches get Stiches, so please hush your mouth. You are on the wrong track! Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Careful!

Well these island council meetings are getting very interesting. In the last meeting I think I heard the opposition say something about the Summerfest still getting money from Telem although Summerfest is now on the shelf.....Hmmmnnn. This is even worst that the lil $25,000.00 that Maria took out of the cookie jar. This is a lot more than $25,000.00. Could this be an annual donation of Naf.225,000.00 removed from the cash cow........Jesus Chist Maria you really screw up things royally by getting caught. Now you put poor ole Sarah in the mix too, since she had her hand in the cookie jar long before you. Well, I hope William and them just joking because this ting sound real serious. Then I can understand why Sarah still supporting Maria, because if Maria start talking (she done threathening already) all hell will break loose in the P A R T Y. Fellow members getting jittery saying a lot of terrible things. I have now analyzed the problem. The party was going good until Toontje decided to sit on the board of TELEM. If he was just another Organizer for the calypsonians, the US$25,000.00 would have gone to the calypsonian show without a hitch, I guess she wanted her hubby to keep an eye on the company for her while she take care of other business. Well rumors have it, that several party members are going to declare their independence soon and then start their own party, because their political future is getting bleak with Marietje hanging on to her seat. For the good of the country let's send them all home. Because they are just embarrasing us daily.

NOW it's getting interesting. Take from someone who likes to think she's in the "know"...I see another political party on the horizon. For those of you who can think politically, you're probably seeing the same thing I am.

J. Baptiste