Statia's Island Council and Executive Council, along with audience members, at the ceremony.
ST. EUSTATIUS--Statia marks 75 years of democratic representation on July 1 with a ceremony honouring the island's past and present political leaders and reflecting on the evolution of its democratic institutions.
Oldest living former Island Councilman Walton Schmidt cutting the ribbon with the help of his son, Hendrixs.
Attendees at the Hill Compound learning about former Statia Council members at a display.
The Registrar's Office of the Island Council hosted the commemoration, titled "Legacy of Leadership: 75 Years of Democratic Representation", bringing together more than 100 guests, including current and former Island Council members, Executive Council members, family members and other community representatives.
The ceremony, held on the lawn of Fort Oranje, featured addresses by serving Island Council members Raquel Spanner-Carty and Glenville Schmidt, while Island Registrar Melissa Robins-Spanner provided a historical reflection on Statia's political development.
Spanner-Carty paid tribute to the leaders whose service and sacrifices helped establish and strengthen the island's democratic institutions. She described leadership as fundamentally being about service, listening to the community and responding to its needs.
She encouraged the next generation to learn from those who came before them and continue strengthening Statia's democratic foundations.
Schmidt's keynote address traced the island's political evolution over the past 75 years, including both its achievements and challenges. He stressed that effective democratic representation requires transparency, courage and a willingness to address difficult issues.
He also called for the preservation of Statia's cultural and political identity and urged both leaders and residents to remain engaged in the democratic process.
"Democracy is not static," was among the central messages of the ceremony, with an emphasis on the need for democratic institutions to be actively protected and nurtured.
As part of the commemoration, plaques recognising years of public service were presented in honour of living and deceased former Island Council members. Current Council members were also recognised for their service to the people of St. Eustatius.
Island Governor Alida Francis presented the awards.
The ceremony also marked the official unveiling of the Island Council Recognition Wall, which honours 36 past and present Island Council members who have served the island since 1951, including its first five elected councillors.
Following the ceremony at Fort Oranje, guests gathered at the Hill Compound for the unveiling. Governor Francis presided over a ceremonial toast before Walton Schmidt, the oldest living former Island Council member, officially unveiled the wall by cutting the ribbon with the
assistance of his son, Hendrixs.
Former Island Council member Adelka Spanner received special recognition for conducting the historical research that formed the basis of the recognition wall.
The wall will eventually be installed in the Vincent Lopes Legislative Hall once renovations to the facility have been completed.
The commemoration provided an opportunity for current and former leaders, their families and members of the community to reflect on the island's political history while highlighting the importance of continued civic participation.
To view the archive of all past and present Island Council members on the recognition wall, persons can go to: https://islandcouncil.statiagov.com/island-council-members-archive
