Motion on condo tax shows
bickering in DP, says Marlin
~ Motion carried by six-three vote ~
PHILIPSBURG--A majority in the Island Council voted in favour of what became known as the “condominium fee motion,” Wednesday.
However, National Alliance (NA) leader William Marlin contended that the fact that Democratic Party (DP) political faction leader in the Island Council Leroy de Weever had tabled the motion was a clear indication that there was serious internal bickering within the Democrat Party (DP) – a contention stoutly denied by DP members of the council.
The motion instructed the Executive Council to initiate negotiations with the Central Government soon to ensure that the money collected for transfer tax and tax duties in St. Maarten with respect to real estate remain in St. Maarten as a source of income for the island territory effective January 1, 2008.
The motion was moved considering that, among other things, the proposed condominium fee required further preparation and deliberation.
Marlin said the motion, only signed by De Weever, showed the DP had internal problems and he warned DP members against trying to draw the NA into these problems.
He said De Weever had known of government’s intentions with regard to tax, but “still he did not touch the garbage collection fee, the GEBE concession fee and the Turnover Tax increase.”
With the motion, Marlin stated, De Weever was defending certain particular interest groups. The motion, he added, was designed “to appease the masses with the popular theme of ‘stop sending certain taxes to the Central Government.’ That has been the popular thing to say over the years. The notion of ‘let the transfer tax stay in St. Maarten’ is a smokescreen. Leroy has a problem with his Executive Council.”
Marlin said it was unbelievable that government was giving instructions to itself to do something. Furthermore, he said NA believed it was unwise for government to put the condominium fee aside and pursue other ways of obtaining tax money.
DP leader and Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams refuted Marlin’s allegation that there was confusion in the DP camp. She said NA had always claimed DP had internal problems, but that same NA had constantly changed names, colours and leaders.
The procedure of the Island Council presenting motions to instruct the Executive Council has been there since the establishment of the two councils, she said. She cited several motions in the past in which the Island Council had instructed the Executive Council to do something.
