Romain Laville, born in Dominica of Dominican parents, will take a seat in the new parliament of St. Maarten on October 10, 2010.
St. Maarteners went to the polls on September 17 to determine who will represent them in the country’s first ever parliament.
St. Maarten will become a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on October 10. On that day the Netherlands Antilles, which comprises Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, Statia and St. Maarten, will cease to exist.
Each of these islands have opted different status within the Kingdom the Netherlands (Holland). St. Maarten will now be responsible for much more of her affairs – dealing directly – instead of relying on Curacao – to negotiate or represent her in Holland or anywhere else.
Laville ran on the United People’s (UP) party – a new political party lead by Theodore Heyliger – the grandson of Claude Wathey (a political figure in St. Maarten’s history). He received 186 of the 14,009 votes cast; his party won six seats of the 15 parliamentary seats available.
Since the United People’s Party did not win the majority they will be forming a coalition government with the Democratic Party (DP) which got two seats, to create a majority of eight seats. The National Alliance led by William Marlin got seven seats and will now be in the opposition benches should the UP/DP coalition become a reality. But in any case Romain Laville will be sworn in as a new parliamentarian.
When asked what inspired him to become a politician, Laville said: “Coming from a humble background and seeing the condition of living on St. Maarten.”
Laville said that he knows the feeling of not having because as a young man he lived in a galvanized house where it was always very hot inside. He became more conscious after listening to a speech given by Minister Louis Farrakan while studying in the USA.
Laville said he had no campaign funding and so it was only by the grace of God and the kindness of friends and family that he made through.
When asked how he felt being elected to St. Maarten’s historic first parliament, he replied “It has not sunk in as yet.”
Laville’s parents are from Marigot. At eight months pregnant his mother returned to Dominica to give birth and return to St. Maarten when he was three months old.
congrats to you mr all the best in your new post and remember god comes first in what ever you do.again congrats.
@Eyes on Dominica: well said best comment so far
well I am indeed proud of you Ro; you have made our family proud, you are a determined young man; you will go ahead and bring forth fruits that will benefit us all. We love you and we are looking forward to that change which will help make SXM, Dominica & other Caribbean Islands better
Marigot Massive!
Love you lots
Popping (inside joke) kekekeke
Congratulations to you! Remember to always put God first and the rest will be added to you!
@Eyes on Dominica: We the people of Dominica especially the people of Marigot Village wish you much success in your new position and may GOD guide your every move for another son of of the village have made us very happy Mr.Laville
@mouth of the south, he did not run from Dominica if you read the article properly it will tell you the time he left Dominica, sxm is where he took all of his schooling from kindergarden to secondary then unto University in the United States. Where would you expect him to run for Political Office?Be happy for the brother and be proud that there are still positive young Dominica born out there making our Country”s NAME PROUD!!! Am a Dominican and am very proud of him, so stop the Ignorance about Da sowing the seeds and other nations reaping the benefits!!!
im so happy i hope he look out for dominicas meanin try for them to com sxm with out no stress an stay a good while lol
congratulations Romaine we are hhard working people no matter where we are .I am so proud of you.We are out here in Anguilla next door shall pray for your continued success.We love you.So very proud of you.
@Chief: Did u forget to congratulate the young man???
Let us comment in context. Congratulation Mr Laville. Put the Heavenly Father first and he will direct your path. Be humble and listen to others and you will learn. I pray for our Fathers wisdom upon you so you can discern and do all things according to his commandments and will. Lean on him at all times.
We are all so proud Of Romain Laville !
He has done a great job …
Congraduation Romain !!!!
The people of St.Maarten have bestowed a great honour upon you to serve them in the first Government of Country St.Maarten. Your leader Mr. Heyliger and your Colleagues has shown sxm how organized you are as a team, take that same Level of Commitment in Government. Do not be distracted serve with Humility and Grace..Ask God to direct your steps according to his word,and to increase your discernment so that you can see clearly what he has in store for you. Remember God is on your side and underneath you are his Everlasting Arms. Stay focus it’s the key to Success,God bless you my son you have made your family,St.Maarten and Dominica Proud!!! Go in Jesus Name!!
congratulation Mr. Laville and even as you have acknowledged ,”that is only by the grace of God and the kindness of friends and family that he made through”, that in effect predicts a declaration over your position in the parliament of St Maarten and the networking of the rest of the region.
i wonder if he will be able to run for political office in Dominica!! Oops, I forgot we have this archaic law that prohibits non-Commonwealth nationals from running for such office in Dominica. This means someone from the mountains of Tanzania ( a part of the Commonwealth) who have never heard of Dominica could run for political office or even become PM in Dominica while someone who is culturally and philosophically related to us, cannot. It is ridiculous.
thats great news,,,,well i get the feeling most of our intelligent n capable people out there developing other nations,,,,one ting hurricane david give d.a a serious ‘right off’,,,,up to now we feeling the pain,,,,,so much migration happen after dat hurricane n seen,,, rite now once a young person finish college is run we running out of dere,,,,d.a sowing the seeds other nations reaping the benefits,,,,so sad
So proud of you!!
Congratulations i wish you much success, seek God first for Wisdom and understanding let him be your guide, as long as he is steering your ship he will take you safely through. Make the people of ST.Maarten and Dominica proud… God bless you i’ll be praying for your strength.
Good job!
Congrats. Respect Mr.
Congratulations to Romain Laville on your victory at the St Maarten Elections and to your party leader, Theo Heyliger, I do hope you are successful in joining forces with the Democratic Party to form the next Government.
Dominica and the people of Marigot in particular must be proud of your electoral achievement. I do hope that your election to the St Maarten parliament will create closer links between Dominica and St Maarten especially in terms of trade with our fresh produce. I also hope that you will also be able to improve other areas of cooperation such as tourism, culture, sports, education etc etc etc.
Best wishes for a successful term in office and for your future career in politics…
SURE MADE YOUR FAMILY, MARIGOT, AND DOMINICA VERY PROUD , KEEP REACHING FOR THE STARS ROMAINE, WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS, GOD BLESS YOU