Philipsburg:---The Island Government, similar to any organization or for that matter a household can have many plans to achieve its objectives and carryout its obligations but to do so, one of the tools it needs to be effective and efficient is a budget. A budget that has been explained to all the members will without a doubt garner even better support, and may even result to all hands on deck during inevitable challenges we will face.It is in this light of "clarification" that Island Council Member Mrs. Maria Buncamper-Molanus submitted a letter to her fellow Island Council Member and Chairman of the Central Committee, Mr. George Pantophlet, with a list of questions on St. Maarten's draft budget 2010. Her questions cover important sections of the budget, including expenditures on General Governing, Public Order and Safety, Education and Economic Affairs and Tourism, the latter being the heart of our revenues. Answers to over eighty questions were neither received nor an explanation given for the delay. For this reason, Mrs. Buncamper Molanus followed up via another letter, only this time, to the Chairman of the Execuctive Council, Lt. Governor Franklin Richards.
While she understands that the task of preparing and finalizing the budget is challenging, Mrs. Buncamper also wants her colleagues to understand that questions posed by members of the island council are done so for the sake of being prudent in their responsibility as representatives of the people of St. Maarten in general and for the sake of actively participating in what is often considered the most important legislation that is dealt with annually by the island council. The process of possing questions also functions as an instrument to be used by the Executive Council to make necessary adjustments that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. The people also need to know how much of the tax payers money has been set aside for various projects and programs including upkeep of government buildings and sports Centers, recruitment of government personnel, and the set up of new departments such as a functioning Research and Statics Bureau. A Research and Statistics Bureau garners information that allows for better planning and execution of all government tasks to the people. As crusial as this department will be, Mrs. Buncamper does not see any provision being made for it. Island Council Member Buncamper stated: "This budget is key to the successful execution of many responsibilities of the Government towards Country St. Maarten, in fact it forms the basis upon which the Government must carryout its work. I look forward to answers to the questions posed prior to the continuation of the debate. My hands were on deck as a Commissioner and they still are for the people of St. Maarten, as an Island Council Member."
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