RAM not allowed at meeting with MPs

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Real Estate Association of St. Maarten RAM were not allowed to sit in at a meeting with Parliament's Permanent Committee for Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) and St. Maarten Real Estate Association SXMREA, headed by Walter Kassel on Friday.

To counter the situation, RAM submitted a letter to Parliament requesting a meeting with the TEATT committee less than an hour after the association was barred from the session.

In its letter, RAM President Arun Jagtiani asked the committee to invite Kassel's association to attend because RAM was interested in moving the industry forward in "a transparent manner."

SXMREA board members used the session on Friday to introduce their organisation and its aims to the TEATT committee. They also discussed the pending changes to the law on the sale of property and assets.

RAM members learnt about Friday's meeting via the press and took the opportunity to attend as observers because the committee meeting was announced by the Secretariat of Parliament to be a public session that would also be aired live on television.

However, just before the start of the meeting, Jagtiani was informed by committee Chairman Member of Parliament (MP) Jules James that he and his members would have to leave the public tribune because a committee member has requested the meeting to be held behind closed doors.

RAM members protested this move, but were told that holding the meeting in camera was allowed under the Rules of Order.

James started the meeting and announced that it would be closed off to the public based on Article 21 of the Rules of Order.

Jagtiani and other RAM members voiced their discontent with the way the matter was handled.

"This is about our livelihood" and should warrant a unified approach. "What is there to be hidden? It's bad enough that we can't listen ... it's like a private club."

The association president said that RAM represents 20 real estate companies whereas Kassel's group represents only five ? including one which MP Leroy de Weever (DP) has majority interests.

Jagtiani said there was some confusion about the meeting because prior to the start, RAM members were told that Kassel's association had requested the session and later, just before they were asked to leave, President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell said that the group had been invited by the committee.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/22904-ram-not-allowed-at-meeting-with-mps-.html

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