Taxi association members
accuse board of fraud
PHILIPSBURG--Members of the St. Maarten Taxi Association are alleging fraud and inconsistencies in the association’s financial statements and say they want answers to questions about what they consider to be “a suspicious contract agreement for the production of the promotional Island Taxi Maps.”
Association members Louis Jeffers, José Marlin and Ottis Hughes told The Daily Herald Monday that some members of the association had summoned a meeting for all members to voice their concerns.
A request for a “Special General Meeting” sent on February 15 was based on Article 11:5 of the articles of the association, but the executive board had not responded. Based on Article 11:6, the meeting must be held within two weeks after this request, once petitioned by at least 10 members.
Agenda points for the meeting on Wednesday, March 19, will focus on auditing the financial statements of the association and the adequate functioning of the Divi Excursions. However, as explained by Marlin, the most alarming concern is the production of the promotional maps by a publishing company in Antigua to the tune of some US $34,000.
Marlin, a former president of the Association, said the maps were being published under the association’s logo and heading, but with no consent of or consultation with the association members, who want to know what the funds generated from ads in the brochure are being used for.
He explained that previously the association had produced its own brochure and funds generated from it had been used to send representatives of the association to tradeshows.
Additionally, many members of the association believe the financial affairs of the association are not being handled in a proper and transparent manner. A request will be made for the 2007 audited financial statements and for a report on the status of a $12,000 loan from a store on Front Street.
The members are questioning whether this loan agreement was signed by the executive board and how much is still outstanding on it, as well as any other outstanding loans or debts owed by the association.
Members question why the president of the association and his immediate family have completely taken over the Divi Tours activity, as previously the tours flowed through the association. Members say clarity is needed to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest by the president.
Members will also present a motion to establish a time and date for the election of a new president, as the last election did not present a winner. During the meeting, the chairman and secretary of the meeting will be empowered to take legal action on behalf of the association if the executive board fails to act on the motions passed during the meeting.
Last on the agenda for this meeting will be approving means of generating funds to cover the cost of auditing the financial statements. As Marlin commented, in establishing the association, government pumped a lot into its development and members find it only appropriate that they be represented lawfully, devoid of betrayal and fraud.
Legal advisor to the members taking action Attorney-at-Law Denicio Brison confirmed the members’ right to hold such an assembly and said they would be demanding that all concerns be addressed.
Repeated attempts to contact current association president Clyde Hook for his comments were unsuccessful.
