Sandy Ground:--- Residents and citizens from all cross sections of St. Martin packed the Riveria One in Sandy Ground to witness the official launching of the Union pour la Democratie that will be contesting the 2012 Territorial election. The newest political party will be headed by first vice president Daniel Gibbs.What was being rumored over the past months also became reality Friday evening when former Mayor of St. Martin Albert Fleming took the political platform and officially endorsed Daniel Gibbs. Fleming told the gathering that the last time he was on the political platform was in 2007 when he decided he was leaving politics. However, he told those that gathered at the Riveria One that he loved his country, since he was born and bred on St. Martin. He said most people left the island and went to other shores but he stayed and sucked the salt here on St. Martin.
Fleming said he returned to the political train because he is convinced that a change must come and the people of St. Martin will be hearing a lot from him in the coming weeks and months leading up to the March 2012 election.
The former Mayor of St. Martin who held political powers on the French side of the island for 30 years said when he left politics in 2007 all the shops on the main street of Marigot were open and doing business. He said today when he passes in the main street his heart hurts when he sees how many shops had to close their doors. "In 2007 when I left politics all the shops were open but today it's deplorable and it is absolutely necessary that a change must come. Education is very important but ambition and the love for one's country makes a big difference. You need to love your country if you want to lead. Do you know what hurts? It is that someone who is very educated failed three times in his political career (campaign) because he does not want to make his political accounts available. How can someone make the same mistake three times?" Fleming was referring to Louis Constant Fleming who was condemned by the State Council on three occasions.
Fleming said Daniel Gibbs, the first vice president of the Collectivity is the only person (man) that stood up and told those in leadership that they were doing wrong and that enough is enough. "There is not another elected member of the 23-member council that stood up and said that this is enough and we are not taking it anymore. I need to know how you people especially parents are going to tell your children that you failed them because you did not make the right choice when electing people to run this country." Every one of us has a parental responsibility to our children and when we fail them we are culpable."
Fleming then presented Daniel Gibbs to the crowd so he could have announced his candidacy for the 2012 election. Gibbs told the gathering that it is not easy for anyone to take such decisions, especially someone like him who has a quiet and good life. "I have a beautiful wife and two children and this decision will change our lives. People have told us about the dangers and fears, the fear of being hurt, the fear of hurting my family, the fear of losing, and the fear of dirty politics. But I have decided to run because I am tired of being afraid and as Bob Marley once said we need to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery." He further told the gathering that he will not make promises neither would he give them fridges, cars or blackberries but the only thing he could offer them was his commitment and a choice to choose a better team for the next five years."My team and I are prepared and committed to bring back life and hope to the St. Martin shores, to develop the island by creating jobs both on St. Martin and overseas. The Union pour la Democratie is committed to oblige the developers who come to St. Martin to recruit locals in fair numbers and having them contribute to a permanent training foundation for the locals. The UD leader said he is also committed to support the local businesses and to allow fair trade and create more business opportunities both on St. Martin and abroad. Most importantly we are committed to support the community councils with finances and human resources so they can assist in solving local matters locally."
Other commitments the UD leader gave was to make sure Semsamar gets back in the hands of the locals while solving the Collectivity's deficit in four years and implementing a decent and fair tax system.
Gibbs said Union pour la Democratie is ready and committed to take legal actions against the State each time the State fails to uphold its responsibility. Other high priorities on the UD's program is closer and real cooperation between the French and Dutch side and restoring safety and security on St. Martin. Gibbs promised to present the list of candidates that will be on the UD list in the coming weeks.
Click here to view more photos of the launching of UD and Albert Fleming endorsing Daniel Gibbs.