Bad Governance

New Island Government to be formed.

TIme for a new one considering the headline on the previous is outdated, I decided to keep it generic this time.

Laveist - “I firmly believe that our island should have a majority-backed government in the Island Council in order for St. Maarten’s future constitutional relationship in the Kingdom to be debated with the Kingdom partners from a position of strength,”

Right Louie, your support and participation gives that strength and integrity to the team. Latest news and back links added below.

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Bad Governance | Island Politics | Flipper's blog | 31 comments | read more

Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-11-18 09:34.

SXM Island Govt Falls

The blog post about Laveist going independent his filled up a bit and I have the feeling this is going to be a hot story this coming week. Monday's always a good day to start off fresh :)

Laveist seems to think he is in a powerful position. I really can't imagine the NA working with him, it would be really really dumb. I suspect a deal will be made between the two parties, or with another DP member leaving as suggested in a news report on SXM Island Time.

Oh, and big Welcome to Parliament too, glad you could join us. :)

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Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-11-10 02:23.

Laviest goes Independent

Poor Louie couldn't wait any longer for new status and has decided to go independent, just in time for SXM Day. The name of his party has not yet been revealed, suggestions are welcome below.

Bibi over at SMN News has a report that mentions the investigations of fraud now include the new government building and the fishmarket.

The soap opera continues...... grab your popcorn....

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Submitted by Flipper on Sat, 2008-11-08 02:08.

Will Laveist resign?

Unfortunately I haven't been able to scan the news item in the Saturday Herald as of yet, I'll try to get it up in the next day or two. It reported that Laveist wasn't too happy about his portfolios being reassigned and gave no indications that he will be resigning. I guess that may mean the IC meeting scheduled for Monday could be interesting.

The previous post about Laveist's arrest can be found here, along with older news reports so far.

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Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-11-02 20:50.

Louie Laveist Arrested

Commissioner Louie Laveist was arrested this morning around 9am, Wednesday 22nd October 2008, it is unclear from news reports if he was arrested at home, or as he arrived for work. Lou Lou is apparently being investigated in a forgery investigation concerning a Venezuelan woman, could it possibly be this one from back in 2005? If so, then I imagine it's possible Lt. Governor Richards is being investigated too? Certainly it would make things interesting wouldn't it?

The smoke from Lou Lou been going on a long time and you know what they say about where there is smoke there is a fire. Indian Merchants tell me today that they estimate donations to Louie's New Hope Foundation to be close $250,000 over the past few years. Can anyone tell me what exactly this foundation has been doing, apparently they help drug addicts but I never hear of their work. That's where the conflict with Boasman comes in, either Boasman wanted a piece of the action or he decided to start playing it straight like any sensible person would in these times. And lets not forget about the bus licenses, meant for the local small businessman, but now something that brings in a monthly rent for whoever owns it. Sheds some light on the crappy public transport system we have doesn't it.

I've collected together the most recent news and most of the blog posts that have been written about Lou Lou over the past few years below, for your refreshment :) - Dr. Voodoo

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Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Wed, 2008-10-22 16:31.

Richards and Joan - Paying the bills

Lt. Governor Richards, Mr. Good Governance, apparently wants some bills paid by the island which our island secretary disagrees with. At least that's what we read in the papers today. Of course, with proper management, transparency and solid protocols and policies we probably wouldn't have this sort of thing popping up again and again.

I do find the news item on SXM Island TImes rather interesting though, is it a press release or a news report?

No rift pertaining to advice says Governor Richards - 13th October 2008

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Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Mon, 2008-10-13 20:53.

Crime pays in SXM

Hmmmm, convicted of 2 out of 3 charges? Just what those two, of the three charges, are is a little unclear in the report from Island Times. 4 Months conditional, 2 year probation period, plus a 10,000 nafs fine. That sounds about par for the course for defrauding taxpayers for a much larger amount, estimated close to 90,000 nafs, I guess Loor set a precedent eh?

You know, I really don't care that much about the permit matter, the system is such a mess and things were being ad hoc, perhaps a bit too much so, but to SXM standards, I can understand that. But claiming rent and allowance money that you are not entitled to should at least be paid back. I think I saw a nice power boat parked outside Loor's house a while back. Crime in SXM really does pay it seems.

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Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Wed, 2008-10-08 14:02.

Laveist - I don't want to play anymore.... :(

What a sad comedy farce the DP are. For you DP advocates out there, please don't take me wrong, I also think the opposition are a farce too, but Lou Lou coming now with his pathetic whinging about not getting his way with Boasman is yet another clear sign of what kind of government we have. A back scratchers club of self serving self interested individuals, who barter favors and their IC vote in exchange for personal whims and projects. If the RST ever gets it's act together and pulls together a solid case against any of them I'm sure we will hear some squealing and 'pots bein buss'.

What exactly is the problem Lou Lou The Permit Man has with Boasman, are the press even going to ask and pursue the answers? Could it be something to do with permits? I suspect it does, after all, the whole system is coming under increasing scrutiny from Kingdom and Federal agencies as we move towards Separate Status and let's just say LL has been suspected of being liberal and accommodating with them. I wonder how those Investigations into Laveist's Foundations are coming along?

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Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Wed, 2008-10-08 13:29.

Laveist, Boasman and Permits

I figured it was best to just change this Open Thread into one about Laveist and Boasman. We will add links and news on the matter below.

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Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-09-09 07:58.

Three Wise Men??

Can someone tell me who these supposed Three Wise Men are? Seems debatable to me.

Will Leroy take up a place on the Exco and would that set the stage for a possible repeat conflict drama with his sister as acting Lt Governor?

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Submitted by Local Hero on Wed, 2008-07-30 02:06.

Jet Set Roy

Poor Roy again displays his ignorance when it comes to the definition of proper governance, accountability and public service. It matters not a bit if Roy has been traveling on private jet on govt business or not, certainly if on govt business then it's a disgrace, but hardly surprising from 'The Man' if true. More importantly though, if he has been taking private jet trips then there needs to be some accountability and public information about who paid for such trips, or who the jets belong to.

Roy is quite wrong, as an elected public servant his private life is not private, having come into office with very little, Roy is now suspected of involvement in numerous business interests and property ownerships. Healthy democracy requires safeguards against big money being able to influence and buy political favor, for example, giving a company permits and exemptions in exchange for work on your house. Roy needs to account for his 'private life', it's part of being a public servant.

Frans: Roy flying private jet while island in dire straits - 29th July 2008

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Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-07-29 17:03.

The New Govt Building

Some of you may remember that is was Louie Laveist who was the main spokesperson and Exco member in charge of the New Government Building in Philipsburg. Informed sources tell me that 'Pinnochio" Roy has now taken over.

Why? Well, I don't know all the details, but I'll tell you what I have heard below....

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Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Fri, 2008-07-11 08:36.

The 2.9 Million Nafs Fish Market

It's been over 14 months since the much hyped Fish Market in Simpson Bay was officially opened by Sarah,, the Fishermen were so enthusiastic and happy about it. Total coincidence of course that this was all so close to the elections. This project was to include 17 market stalls, six restaurants, four office spaces and a bar overlooking the lagoon.

Today it stands empty, while Roy may well be right that there areno liens on the property (who can be sure with this govt?), it also appears to be correct that there are no tenants either. Yeah, sure, the fishermen use part of it to sell their catch, but the units themselves are empty and weeds are pushing up through the brick pavements and flowerbeds. Heckofajob eh!

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Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Thu, 2008-06-26 05:33.

Good governance and transparency = New Status

PPA Leader talks about conflict of interest
Written by Gracita R. Arrindell
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 19:16

We read with great interest the news reports and the editorials concerning the public spectacle at the Island Council meeting Monday considering the clearly impermissible and improper conduct by Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus and her spouse.

However, the most disappointing part of the meeting was the continuing role of the Lt. Governor who uses every opportunity to prevent and delay any effort to call the DP to order.

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Submitted by Wasime Liburd on Thu, 2008-06-26 04:48.

Draft Organic Laws

Last week I noticed this story about the Organic Laws for the new Country St. Maarten. These laws are the foundation laws of how the government and country St. Maarten will operate in the future and it seems to me that very few are really paying attention and that we the public are not being adequately informed or involved. These laws will decide if we get change, I mean real change, in how our island is governed.

According to the article, a variety of draft laws covering areas such as Rules of Order for Parliament and an Ombudsman have already been dealt with. (Does this mean approved by the Exco?) Searching the Country SXM website I can find no documents on these laws and the documents that are listed appear not to be available. One I would love to read has the title 'A New Electoral System: A More Powerful and Dynamic Government?

I would like to make an appeal here to all Civil Servants, Lawyers and Politicians to send us these 'dealt' with laws via email on PDF so we can post and discuss them. (sxmpemail at gmail). SXM does not have a civil rights organization and I don't think we should trust in the opposition to make sure that the needed changes and reforms in governance are included. Mainly because they are really not capable and secondly because they expect or hope to be in office next time around.

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Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Thu, 2008-06-19 16:31.

Quit Imagining; Maria is no Hillary !!!!

“True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leaders” -Robert Townsend, taken from Maria campaign material

In my short life I have seen some strange political suicides. But nothing can be compared with the bombshell that Commissioner Maria Buncamper Molanus finally dropped in her own lap. In addressing the matter of her glaring conflict of interest, she claimed she was going to deal with fraud and embezzlement from top to bottom at TELEM.

Has Commissioner Buncamper now sunk to blackmail? Bottom line: too many listeners agree that her revelations convinced the public that she had prior knowledge of wrong doing at TELEM, but she is now using it as a lifeline.

Question: If indeed such information exists, then should they be in the possession of the Commissioner? Shouldn’t they be in the hands of the public prosecutor or, better yet, Ministry of Justice or the police?
Question: Why has the leader of government chosen to say nothing about the Commissioner’s accusations? Why has she not denied those allegations?

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Submitted by sybille on Tue, 2008-06-17 16:55.

Laveist's Foundations under investigation

Remember Grand Getaway Vacations and their $50,000 donation to Laveist's New Hope Foundation? It would seem those rumors we heard about a top politician questioned by police had more truth to them than we we were told.

Grand Getaway was apparently sold last year and was in the news this past March with rumors of a reopening. I think it might be a bit more difficult to bring in their own workers this time with all the scrutiny.

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Submitted by Local Hero on Mon, 2008-06-16 00:33.

Mr Good Governance? Sky is the Limit and Telem Donation

Time and time again, sketchy deals and outright disrespect from the EXCO towards the opposition and the public when it comes it what should be public information is condoned by Mr. Richards. I've tried to convince myself that he is impartial and has integrity, but this latest issue has wiped any hopes I had left away.

Repeatedly writers on here have questioned whether he is capable of walking the walk, and it seems clear, at least to me, exactly on which side of the fence he stands, because he certainly isn;t sitting on the fence in the middle. I mean, really, the best this man could come up with to stop people using phone cameras to sell their votes was to have them switch them off before going in the voting booth.

Anyway, all the news clippings from the past week covering the Sky is the Limit donation issue are below. Feel free to share your thoughts and vote in my poll.

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Submitted by Local Hero on Tue, 2008-06-10 20:03.

St. Maarten Private Eye

Bad Governance

New Island Government to be formed.

SXM Island Govt Falls

Laviest goes Independent

Will Laveist resign?

Louie Laveist Arrested

Richards and Joan - Paying the bills

Crime pays in SXM

Laveist - I don't want to play anymore.... :(

Laveist, Boasman and Permits

Three Wise Men??

Jet Set Roy

The New Govt Building

The 2.9 Million Nafs Fish Market

Good governance and transparency = New Status

Draft Organic Laws

Quit Imagining; Maria is no Hillary !!!!

Laveist's Foundations under investigation

Mr Good Governance? Sky is the Limit and Telem Donation

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