Philipsburg:--- Elected officials from both French and Dutch side of St. Maarten/St. Martin at their official address at the Festival Village during the celebration of St. Martin Day focused on the status change the Dutch side is expected to have by October next year. Richards explained that St. Maarten is at the crossroad of change with their constitutional structure when the country status is granted to the Dutch side while the French side already has their status change and are progressing. He called on the people not to be dampened with the differences that exists but they should take time are reflect on what the nation has achieved over the past 50 years and the role their forefather’s have played. Richards said that right now focus must be placed on rebuilding the moral values on the island since it is plagued with several social issues such as crime and violence in the schools, unemployment. He said right now a collective effort is needed to address these issues and the history of cooperation between the two sides must be used. He said that already the two sides are working closely to fight against illegal immigration. Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards in his address said the two sides are already working closely on implementing the Franco/ Dutch treaty.
Senator Louis Constant Fleming in his address reminded the gathering on the reasons why the friendship of the island is celebrated. Fleming gave an outline on how the two sides evolved from 1648 when the treaty of Concordia. He said the two mother countries France and Holland never intervened on how the two sides worked together. The senator promised to work hard in making sure the cooperation between the two sides become stronger since St. Maarten/ St. Martin is one island and whatever decision is taken on side of the island would ultimately affect the other side.
The President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Frantz Gumbs in his address said the he felt the two sides were called upon to celebrate “Sweet St. Maarten” which some of its multitudes abused their welcome to the island because of their own negligence. Gumbs said that he felt there is need to rekindle the spirit of the treaty of Concordia, which in his opinion kept the island strong over the years. The President went on to quote article 3 of the treaty that stated that the two sides should live as friends and allies. He said that the 50 years ago the late Hubert Petit and the late Dr. Claude Wathey inaugurated St. Maarten/St. Maarten Day celebration to show the friendship between the two sides. Gumbs said the time has come for them to stop for a moment and ask themselves some serious questions such as what progress have they made over the past 50 years? What can they do and what is it they want to do to benefit the two sides? He said while there is no time for answers his questions are only food for thought and items for talks.
Gumbs said the economies have boomed and must continue to grow but he wants to know at what cost to the people and the environment. He said already infrastructures such as the education and social systems are struggling to adjust to meet the demands of the ever-growing population. He asked what solutions they have for the youths whom he said do not have a “tomorrow.” Gumbs said that indeed there is cooperation to address certain situations. He emphasized that it is his belief that cooperation should not be envisaged as an ideological past time instead; pragmatism should be the guide for the choices made by them. Gumbs said even though what he said may seem gloomy there is indeed hope for greater expectations.
While the leader of government William Marlin called on the people of St. Maarten to celebrate their day. He said there are people who tried to take away this day from them, but he urged them to celebrate their day.
Marlin said that right now the Dutch side of the island has 55,000 registered inhabitants with close to 20,000 undocumented however; this year’s celebration is to pay tribute to their forefathers. He called on the population not to only think about the politicians but they should also remember the church leaders, teachers, doctors, fishermen who were out there 50 years ago celebrating.
He said 50 years after the population, the environment have all changed. He reminded the gathering what Pastor Wycliffe Smith told them during the church service about the change in the landmarks. Marlin said St. Maarten would continue major changes referring to the country status which is expected to take place on October 10, 2010.
While Commissioner of Culture Hyacinth Richardson called on the people to maintain the island’s sweetness. One way this should happen is by continuing to planting the ‘sugar apple tree” which he said reflects the sweetness of the island.
Prior to the speeches that were delivered at the Festival Village a church service was held at the New Testament Baptist Church, while the wreath laying ceremony took place at the Bellevue monument which was erected by the late Constant Fleming.