Citizens of St. Maarten,As we celebrate another St. Martin's day there is plenty for us to be thankful for, more to improve upon and great challenges to overcome in the months ahead. St. Martin's Day has always been a day of reflection and of thoughts of past achievements and trials while looking forward to the future. Indeed, as we continue on our journey to country status, momentous changes in attitudes and goals continues to take place. Never forget though, we still have that well-deserved rendezvous with history to look forward to. So our work is far from over.
Collectively we've been tested in 2008. Our biggest test to date is the same issue that the rest of the world is coping with; a global economic downturn. As we mark this St. Martin's Day, I pledge to you that your Island Government will continue to work feverishly on plans and solutions to ease the economic burden on our people. We will continue to work resolutely for the welfare of our people and for the development of our island nation.
While we are a small island community, we still have to end pockets of divisiveness that tend to bring out the worst in some of us. We have to bridge the many divides in our community and work with a unity of purpose. We need to think of the future and be steadfast in our resolve to march forward. We must capitalize on the dynamism that characterizes our people, our youth, our entrepreneurs and our businesses.
In dealing with the economic situation as well as preparing for country status, we must have faith in our strength and confidence in our capabilities. Each of us has our individual identities. However, every citizen must recognize that we are St. Maarteners first and last. If not born here, born to be here. We squander away our time on petty issues and pointless differences. I urge all political parties, all political and social leaders to resist the temptation to divide people along narrow lines. Our strength is in our unity, despite our diversity. It is that unity that gives us our resilience and it is that unity which will give us Country St. Maarten.
We should do our best not to move away from this vision, and must face the future with courage despite the doom-preachers and nay-sayers. So this St. Martin's Day wave a flag and wear a smile. This is the prevalent mood and spontaneous spirit that we, the people of the friendly island, exude in celebrating another St. Martin's Day.
May the good lord bless our island and protect and guide her sons and daughters. Happy St. Martin's Day!
