GREAT BAY:--- Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs William Marlin says that history was made on Thursday in Holland when the Kingdom Parliament approved the changes to the Kingdom Charter and the different Kingdom Consensus Laws, making possible for Sint Maarten to become a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 10-10-10."The challenge is ours to make it happen as promised on 10-10-10. For that to happen, much work still needs to be done, not just by the team of advisers, the Commissioners and Island Council Members, but also very much so by the civil servants and the people of Sint Maarten. It is most appropriate to borrow a line from the song writer as we sing in unison, ain't no stopping us now."
"The past days have been hectic and challenging. There were moments when we thought the process may be in danger. But we never lost focus of the mission we came to accomplish; convince the Members of the Dutch Second Chamber that they had a responsibility towards the people of Sint Maarten and Curacao. We told them that they had an obligation to respect the will of the people, and support them in their quest for constitutional change. We have constantly been told that the members of the Dutch Parliament were not convinced that Sint Maarten was able to become country this year. We had our work cut out for us and at the end of the debates we were convincing and victorious," Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday evening from Holland.
Commissioner William Marlin was full of praise for Team Sint Maarten which was made up of advisors, Drs. Eugene Holiday and Richard Gibson, who both worked all hours of the day and sometimes very late at night with the rest of the Antillean advisors in order to get the job done.
I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to represent Sint Maarten at this time. I also commend my colleague Drs. Rodolphe Samuel for the role that he has played during this historic moment." Chief of Staff/Island Secretary Joane Dovale-Meit who has always been on the Team had to stay on Sint Maarten to man the fort as much work needed to be done these days as well. Work in preparation of the dismantling of the Central Government and the transfer of tasks to Sint Maarten.
Congrats and a big thank you is in place for project Director Dennis Richardson who has been aboard Team St. Maarten from the very beginning. He has worked tirelessly, advising, negotiating, battling and compromising on behalf of country Sint Maarten.
But at this historic time he was not able to be present in The Hague with his team. He was greatly missed by all the delegations, including the Dutch delegation. But he was there with us in spirit and at times even on the phone or via email. Dennis thank you and we wish you a speedy recovery.
"I have noted increased enthusiasms among the civil servants as concrete plans are being put in place to set up our ministries and institutions. I like that "all hands on deck" attitude and hope that soon all other civil servants are infected by the 10-10-10 bug. We can and must get it done, Together for Sint Maarten," Commissioner William Marlin pointed out on what has been described as historic Thursday.
Commissioner Marlin added that while in The Hague, his thoughts and prayers have been with Iliana Schotborg-Pasman and her family because of the sudden passing of her husband, Sint Maarten USONA Director Bart Pasman.
His sudden passing was not only a great loss to Iliana, their children and the rest of the family, but also to Sint Maarten. Bart was a fine, hard working person who always wanted the best for Sint Maarten and worked diligently to get our projects approved. He will be greatly missed.
"Iliana has also been a strong pillar in the process towards constitutional change as she played a pivotal role in the preparation of needed legislation," Commissioner Marlin said on Thursday.
Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin says that congratulations are in place for St. Maarten, for 100% of Sint Maarten.
"Those who can vote and those who didn't vote, those who voted for other options as well. For in country Sint Maarten, every citizen and resident has a right to police protection, proper health care, a clean environment and quality education for all.
I want to thank all of you who have sent a short message, an email, made a call, to offer your moral support, words of encouragement and to extend your congratulations to Team Sint Maarten. Your support has been a source from which to tap the needed strength from to continue the battle.
"There is still much work ahead of and for all of us. Let us all join heads and hands together for Sint Maarten. Let us all look towards 10-10-10 with great anticipation," an enthusiastic Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday.