2005 Aruban Election Recount; MEP Wins (Looks a bit like 2000 Florida Recount?)

Yesterday, a recount took place in Aruba as to whether there may have been any errors in the initial counting of votes that gave the present ruling party MEP control. All parties were present today to watch the one by one hand count and although some votes were thrown out due to ink spots.

According to sources is Aruba, the recount came about as one of the smaller parties “Real Democracy,” a satellite of AVP was only 20 votes short of a seat which would have given the ‘opportunity’ to coalition with AVP, MPA and RED and win the election. A change of 20 votes one way or the other would have made the drastic difference in a MEP controlled government or a coalition one. 20 votes.

Doesn’t this sound familiar to the Presidential election of 2000 and Florida recount? By looking at some of the votes that were actually not considered, yes it does remind me a little of the chaos that was the Florida recount. For an island the size of Aruba and for what was at stake it was a pretty close comparison. However, the Aruban Parliamentary election recount does not change results, MEP retains leadership with 11 seats. As reported by Aruba Today:

Aruban Parliamentary election recount does not change results MEP retains leadership with 11 seats ORANJESTAD – On Wednesday, a recount of last week’s September 23rd election votes was made in the presence of the leaders of all of the political parties concerned. Each vote was inspected for accuracy and blemishes. Any vote that had the slightest concern was thrown out of the overall count. The recall was made on the basis of a very close win of a seat in one of the newest parties joining the political arena. Other reasons were made and quickly disproved, but the recount concession was made to reinforce the accuracy of the Aruban electoral process. As a final result, MEP lead by Prime Minister Nelson Oduber remains with 11 seats, AVP lead by Mike Eman remains with 8 seats, MPA lead by the 1st female party leader Monica Kock Arends and RED lead by Father Lampe each remain with one for a total of 21 parliament seats. President of the electoral commission Hubert Maduro told Aruba Today that the vote counting system of Aruba is virtually error free. The only votes that were discarded in the recount were most likely made by elderly or those touching candidates with a pen mark either by accident or a personal system for making a decision, but clearly making a choice with a mark filling the space required.

One does speculate if these votes had changed and the “Real Democracy” candidate had won forcing the Aruban government to formulate a coalition government how this would have changed the perception and handling of the Natalee Holloway case and the PR campaign of any potential and alleged boycott? There is a big difference between one party rule with 11 seats and having to appease a coalition who may have many other different views and ideas. With the final election results in and MEP declared the victor, we will never know that answer either.

Joshua Haight, 21 still Missing; $100,000 reward from Joe Mammana

$100,000 reward offered in case of missing Montana Tech student Joshua Haight, 21 who was last seen when he was dropped him off in downtown Lewistown on July 13.

A Philadelphia businessman known for his financial assistance in high-profile criminal investigations is providing $100,000 for information about the disappearance of a college student here.

Joe Mammana offered the money as police continue investigating the disappearance of Joshua Haight, 21. Haight was last seen when a person dropped him off in downtown Lewistown on July 13, said Capt. Dave Sanders of the Lewistown Police Department.

Mammana, who has provided reward money in the Natalee Holloway investigation in Aruba, told the Lewistown News-Argus a local clergyman requested his help.

Rest of the story

Personalized “GRN ERTH” plate and Taylor Behl

Richmond Police stated that they are searching for anyone who might have information on a stolen license plate, “GRN ERTH,” that may be connected to the case of a missing college student Taylor Behl.

The personalized “GRN ERTH” plate was stolen in Richmond around the time 17-year-old Virginia Commonwealth University freshman Taylor Behl disappeared, and “preliminary information” indicates the two events may be connected, police said.

The person it was stolen from is not connected to the case, Richmond police spokeswoman Cynthia Price said. Citing the ongoing investigation, she declined to release further details.

The teen’s car was found two weeks later, less than two miles from her dorm. Her license plates had been replaced with Ohio plates reported stolen several weeks before she disappeared.

(Full Story)

Related Posts:
Taylor Behl Missing,Follow Up on Car Being Found
Police find car of missing student, Taylor Behl

Cross posted at Scared Monkeys Missing Persons

Beth Holloway Twitty and Joe Mammana Meet with Attorneys in Philadelphia

Remember those words that Joe Mammana mentioned a couple of weeks ago?

“I just want the people of Aruba to know that Natalee Holloway’s mom, Beth Twitty and Joe Mammana are coming back to Aruba. Hell is coming with them, we did not forget Natalee Holloway”.

Philadelphia businessman, philanthropist and Philly’s Avenging Angel, Joe Mammana and Beth Holloway Twitty planned to meet with an attorney here to discuss her options in the stalled investigation of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba.

With help from a local businessman, the mother of an Alabama teen who disappeared on a class trip to Aruba planned to meet with an attorney here to discuss her options in the stalled investigation.

Beth Holloway Twitty, mother of Natalee Holloway, told the Philadelphia Daily News for Wednesday’s editions that “we just feel like if we just continue, that something will break.”

On her meeting with an attorney, she said, “I want to see what my options are, and how do I go about pursuing those.”

Joe Mammana, who has contributed $250,000 in reward money in Holloway’s case. He has also contributed $100,000 reward for the missing 26 year old, nine months pregnant Amanda Jones. He played a major role in the $100,000 reward increase in the Latoyia Figueroa case. Mammana also gave $50,000 to the Julia Popovich reward as well. Joe Mammana has been known for his no nonsense Sicilian approach to practical situations. As Joe has stated in the past he does not call it “reward money, he refers to it as “bounty money“.

“I don’t call it reward money,” Mammana said. “I call it bounty money. I’m a vengeful person. I don’t believe in an eye for an eye; I believe in two for one.”

Joe Mammana arranged for the meeting for Beth Twitty to got to Philadelphia to meet with an attorney, whom have not been identified.

“We’re going to hound and harass these people forever,” Mammana told the newspaper, referring to Aruban officials and “anybody else involved with this that we feel did not cooperate and help us.”

This really is an interesting mix and Mammana’s words are sure to create some worries and comments from Aruban officials. Why do I get the feeling that Joe Mammana is not going to put up with much nonsense?

Click here to discuss the Natalee Holloway Disappearance

Click here to view all of our previous Natalee Holloway Posts.

George Bushes Call for Conservation Has Some Tourist Destinations Nervous

There is fear out there by the areas of the country are concerned about President Bushes call for fuel conservation. Locations from Maine to Michigan to Myrtle Beach are fearful that the high price and difficulty getting fuel will hurt their prospects for tourism.

So the dream that a Republican President could call for conservation has led to a huge outcry by the NIMBY crowd. States like Maine that have opposed any business that is not green, now is in a panic.

The Kennebec Journal is nervous, as the state of Maine loses all of the manufacturing and professional business, they are so reliant on tourism to support the state, they are getting nervous. Even their license plates have changed from the pine tree state to vacationland.

Read More at The Travel Bloggers on this Story.