Commissioner Leerdam Challenges Critics: “Stop the Spectacle, Bring the Evidence”

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius – Commissioner and Progressive Labor Party (PLP) leader Rechelline Leerdam has issued a lengthy public statement defending her conduct during the contentious May 7 Island Council meeting, while accusing political opponents of attempting to “rewrite history” and turning serious policy discussions into personal attacks and political spectacle.

Leerdam’s statement comes amid continuing fallout from the heated meeting, during which sharp exchanges took place between government and opposition members over several issues, including the roaming animal project. The Commissioner directly rejected claims that she interrupted Island Council member Clyde van Putten during his remarks on the matter, arguing that the publicly available livestream recording does not support that version of events.

“The meeting was streamed. The recording is available. The public can see and hear for themselves what took place,” Leerdam stated, emphasizing that public officials should expect their statements to be tested against documented facts and recordings.

Roaming animals issue

A significant portion of her response focused on the roaming animal project, which has become a growing political flashpoint on the island. According to Leerdam, the project had already been presented to the Island Council during a closed-door session last year in the presence of both council members and the roaming animal team. She argued that government is now unfairly being criticized for implementing a project that had previously been discussed and agreed upon.

Leerdam also expressed concern about what she described as a pattern of deteriorating decorum within Island Council meetings. Without naming specific incidents beyond the May 7 meeting, she said serious discussions were increasingly being overshadowed by insults, accusations, intimidation, and attacks on civil servants.

Civil servants and humiliation

She warned that civil servants should be able to attend meetings without fear of humiliation or personal targeting, adding that the Island Council should never function as a “bully pulpit.” According to the Commissioner, repeated confrontational conduct risks damaging public institutions and discouraging civil servants from openly participating in governance processes.

The Commissioner further addressed allegations of corruption made during the meeting against the current administration. In response, she publicly challenged critics to invoke Article 160 of the WolBES if they genuinely believe wrongdoing has occurred within government.

Serious allegations require serious action

“Serious allegations require serious action,” Leerdam stated, arguing that accusations should be handled through proper legal mechanisms and investigations rather than through public confrontation and political rhetoric.

Beyond the immediate controversy, Leerdam framed the dispute as part of a broader political struggle over the future direction of Statia’s governance. She reiterated her long-standing call for “unity, transparency, accountability, and putting Statia above politics,” saying the island has suffered for decades from political division and hostility.

According to Leerdam, the island’s greatest periods of progress came during moments of cooperation rather than conflict. She argued that effective leadership requires dialogue, compromise, and focusing on shared goals instead of personal battles.

Unity, stability and leadership

“The people of Statia are crying out for unity, stability, and leadership focused on solutions instead of conflict,” she said.

Leerdam concluded by stating that her administration remains focused on governance, institutional integrity, and moving the island forward, while calling for factual debate and more disciplined conduct within the Island Council.

The text of the full release can be read here.