MARIGOT, Saint-Martin:--- The Territorial Council elected all six members of Saint-Martin’s Executive Council serving alongside President Louis Mussington on Friday, November 13. Mélissa Nicolas-Rembotte took over as First Vice President from Alain Richardson by a vote of 12. Eleven councilors did not take part in the vote. Mussington continues as president.
The reshuffle changed all four vice presidencies. Martine Beldor succeeded Bernadette Davis as Second Vice President, former senator Annick Pétrus became Third Vice President, and Dominique Louisy moved from third to fourth. Richardson and Davis retained seats on the executive, while former Fourth Vice President Michel Petit did not return to the seven-member body.
The new Executive Council
|
Position |
Member |
Vote announced in session |
|
President |
Louis Mussington |
Continued in office |
|
First Vice President |
Mélissa Nicolas-Rembotte |
12 in favor, 11 did not participate |
|
Second Vice President |
Martine Beldor |
12 in favor |
|
Third Vice President |
Annick Pétrus |
12 in favor |
|
Fourth Vice President |
Dominique Louisy |
Unanimous |
|
Executive Council member |
Alain Richardson |
11 in favor, 12 did not participate |
|
Executive Council member |
Bernadette Davis |
11 in favor, 12 did not participate |
Women now hold all four vice presidencies and five of the seven seats on the Executive Council.
Councilors voted on each of the six positions individually after Mussington said officials had consulted legal advisers and the authorities responsible for reviewing the legality of local decisions. The reshuffle followed five departures from Mussington’s Rassemblement Saint-Martinois Alternative, which reduced the group from 16 seats to 11 in the 23-member Territorial Council. Beldor and Pétrus were among those who left.
Dispute over SEMSAMAR and Tourist Office returns after the vote
At the opening of the session, Territorial Councilor Philippe Philidor asked Mussington to put four proposals submitted on October 23 before the assembly. They concerned powers delegated to the Executive Council, the Collectivité’s representation at SEMSAMAR and the Tourist Office, and the Beauperthuy land matter. Philidor argued that councilors should be allowed to vote on whether to add the proposals to the agenda.
Mussington said the proposals would be examined at a later meeting. He singled out Beauperthuy as requiring further review because it involved signed agreements and court decisions.
After electing the new executive, councilors renewed their push to review committee assignments, appointments to outside bodies and delegated powers. They argued that the election gave the Territorial Council an opportunity to revisit those arrangements immediately. Mussington called a recess to examine the request. The available session excerpts end before any vote on those proposals is recorded.