Motion of no-confidence passed against Statia Island Governor Berkel

September 01, 2015 8:36 AM
ST. EUSTATIUS--The last agenda point of the Island Council meeting on was a motion of no-confidence against The island Governor Of Statia Gerald Berkel passed by the majority.
 
  Clyde Van Putten read the text as he spoke of the new government that has been faced with many stumbling blocks for the past four months since coming into office. He reflected on Berkel’s position way back when the DP wanted to fire him as Director of the Telephone company.
 
  He spoke of having told the coalition they could not continue in this manner. “The trust of the people is very important,” he added.
 
  The motion, said Van Putten, is about Berkel and a breach of good governance.  He continued by saying that in these past months there have been a number of things which showed why they had lost confidence in him, and then handed Berkel a copy of the motion.
 
  Councilwoman Recheline Leerdam said she had heard many stories and reflected on the actions sent on the instruction from the minister.
  Councilman Merkman spoke of this is having a serious impact on him personally . He has seen there is no forward movement in the development of the island. He said the decision was not made lightly.
 
  Councilwoman Spanner then remarked that whenever an occasion arises that Van Putten does not get his way he makes an issue.She went on to state that  he also had a motion against a previous governor Abdul but he remained until his term expired. He also had had issues with other governors that stick to the law, namely Irvin Temmer.
 
  Commissioner Reginald Zaandam also said he is sad to know he  has been labelled as being on a leash, incapable of making his own decisions. “I am 67 years of age and this is a sad moment in the council.”
 
Commissioner Astrid McKenzie did not want to prolong the matter. She spoke of always have worked by the book where legal matters were an issue.
 
She said up to last week they going were back and forth and she could not support a vote of no-confidence. There is, however, too much opposition against the government and she felt sad about the situation, but thingshad remained stagnant. “People keep asking why is Statia staying behind and not getting anything,” she said.
 
“Government is here for a four-year term and we cannot remain in one spot. People are crying out: they want change . We will have to move those boulders out of here,” she said.
 
Governor Berkel responded to their accusations.He said to van Putten “as certain as we pass each other in the morning walks” they would  continue to greet each other, as it's not personal. “When I took the oath,” Berkel said,“it was not to serve the council but the community.”
 
This is not the first time his position has been challenged, he added. “The Island Governor has to give account for his actions and sometimes has to make decisions that are not popular.” Nevertheless, he is proud of every decision he made.
 
He said that whatever the outcome he can serve the community even if it in an other function. The motion was approved with three votes of Van Putten, Leerdam and Merkman and one of Spanner against.
 
The Daily Herald
 
 

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