HARBOUR VIEW–“This St. Maarten’s Day must therefore, in particular, be dedicated and observed as a rally call for urgent, concerted and resolute action across borders to resolve existing border issues,” said Governor Eugene Holiday in his message on Friday.
“To be successful, this action must be guided by values embedded in the spirit of St. Maarten’s Day. These values are devotion to our island and unity in purpose. These are central values that make the protection and continued building of our island around our Happy St. Maarten’s Day motto possible. Values which – in past situations – have been at the core of our actions in the face of threats to our aspirations for a better life for our children. Values that cement our resilience and ability to prevail as one people,” the Governor said.
“As we observe this St. Maarten’s Day, it is in view of the challenges we face, it’s important that we reflect on what Happy St. Maarten’s Day means. It is a rally call for our happiness as a people, as an island, not just on our national holiday, but year round,” he said.
“The question before us therefore is how, in light of these challenges, do we forge forward and continue to give content to our St. Maarten’s Day motto? In answering this question, it is important to recognize and emphasize that we have come a long way together, and that what we have on St. Maarten together is special in so many ways. Special in terms of opportunities, family ties, cultural identity, and work and business relations across our island.”
“It is a rally call from me to you, from you to your neighbour, from Philipsburg to Marigot, from French Quarter to Dutch Quarter, to always work to secure our island as a place for our children to have opportunities for a better future. It is a rally call for continued progress from one generation to the other across our island. This rally call has been a shared motto of generations of St. Maarteners.
“As a result, successive generations of our men and women have worked in harmony to build this island, our home. Today, we are the beneficiaries of a treasured natural, cultural, and economic heritage. That is not to say that things are perfect. But rather that we are obligated to secure treasured achievements, and to carry on in the pursuit of our aspirations for a happier St. Maarten,” he continued.
“Our pursuit, like that of the generations before us, is not without challenges. And while challenges may differ over time, it is – if we are to continue to grow and progress – important that we always stand together as an island, as a St. Maarten people,” he said in his message to the community.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/61530-holiday-st-maarten-day-rally-call-for-resolving-border-issues
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