Election Day at Chamber of Commerce of St. Eustatius and Saba, with (from left) Chamber director Petronila Lara Reyes, Statia’s candidates for board membership Leonieke Zuiddam and Alexander De Graaf, election proctor Wilfred Olton Berkel, and Chamber president Ebbie Schmidt.
SABA/ST. EUSTATIUS--Leonieke Zuiddam of St. Eustatius and Hermanus Van Xanten for Saba were duly elected on Tuesday as members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of St. Eustatius and Saba board.
Announcing the result, the Chamber’s Public Relations Director Ebbie Schmidt congratulated the elected candidates and conveyed her best wishes for their involvement in the future success of the organisation.
Almost 400 business entities and foundations are registered with the Chamber. However, only business representatives were eligible to cast their votes this week.
“We have asked the Dutch Government to look into this democratic deficit,” said Schmidt. “The Chamber performs a central role in promoting the interests of commerce and foundations. It is only fair that all voices are heard.”
As only one candidate was put forward for election in Saba, a second Saba board member will be appointed eventually by the Saba Executive Council. Successful candidates will serve for three years on the board which comprises a total of five seats.
“A proactive programme has been developed for next year,” Schmidt announced. “In addition to our regular courses for QuickBooks, we shall be offering coaching in the field of customer service and how to use social networking for business purposes.
“Because of our scope and scale of operation, we are largely dependent on the Dutch Government for financial support. Nevertheless, a backlog in local fees from local businesses and foundations means that we have to become tough with financial forgetfulness.”
She reminded the 400 members of the Chamber of Commerce that “We shall pursue delayed dues with vigour,” Schmidt told The Daily Herald.
