In an interview with Leopold James, founder and president of the grassroots St. Martin nation building movement, he motivated in detail the reasons for the selection of Leopold's persons of the Year 2010.
No-one can deny that Leopold James is a man driven with a passion to preserve the native St. Martin people and their cultural- identity and heritage.
But despite, his non-compromising principle that St. Martiners should come first in their own country, he is also a great proponent for inclusion of others in the process of St. Martin nation building.
Proof of this desire to include is clearly refelected in his choice of Leopold's persons of the year 2010.
Together with Mr. Hilbert HAAR, Managing Editor of the TODAY newspaper, Bibi HODGE-SHAW, owner of the website www.smn-news.com, was recognized as Leopold's # 1 person of the Year 2010.
They earned this distinction based among others by exposing corruption within the Government of St. Maarten as never before-, by taking investigative reporting to an unprecedented level.
By doing so, they contributed significantly to informing the St. Martin people of issues of great importance to them.
On Friday, January 21, 2010, Bibi went to Pete's-photo studio, where the pictures are taken and ID's printed to collect her honorary St. Martin ID-card. (PICTURE) Other persons who also were recognized by Leopold as persons of the year 2010 are, Eldrige van PUTTEN, Gerard BIJNSDORP, Jeffrey RICHARDSON and Olivier ARRINDELL.
They all have been recognized as having contributed in their own personal ways towards an 'added value' to our community and to the empowerment of St. Martin people.
As token of recognition all these recipients have been bestowed an honorary (cultural) St. Martin ID-card, which most have promised to collect.
Mr. HAAR, also published an article entitled Honorary ID under the section Today Opinion & Commentary in the TODAY news paper of today, Friday, January 21, 2011.
It is becoming very evident that this ID-card, is the only factor that not only takes the identity of the St. Martin people to the 'next level', but by also been given out to others, with an 'added value' to our community, , embodies hope, harmony and integration as part of the St. Martin nation building- and unification process.
Especially, given the growing frustrations of so many who feel marginalized, this ID-card has a great potential to create a sense of hope and direction for native St. Martiners as well as others, who genuinely are longing for a process of healing to take place within our community.
The potentials of the ID-cardholders as a specific stakeholder- group /constituency signifies a real paradigm shift on the island.
Although,a major promotion campaign for the St. Martin ID-card, still has to take place, Leopold James already is receiving so many suggestions from people on the island and via the internet for the ID-card.
These range from business willing to give the card-holders special benefits, to even certain business considering for the card to be used as proof of a 'pre-screening' for persons seeking employement etc.
It seems that the time is not too distant when this particular document will become something no-one will be able to neglect, let alone get around.
Persons interested in as St. Martin ID-card, can contact Mr. Leopold James (5204325 / 06-90 222841 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information on how to qualify for the St. Martin ID-card, or go to website ww.stmartinnation.org