French Quarter:--- The celebration of the 53rd annual St. Maarten/St. Martin's Day took place in grand style on Sunday. The French side of the island was this year's host. The day commenced with an ecumenical service at the Methodist Church in French Quarter followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the French Quarter/Dutch Quarter border. Shortly after the wreath laying ceremony, the police conducted a short march while 11 troupes from both sides of the island participated in the parade for the dignitaries and those that attended the official ceremony.
The official speeches and luncheon was done at the Chick Chick Pasture in Belle Plaine where a number of tents were set up for the day's activity. The four speakers President Alain Richardson, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams, Governor Eugene Holiday, and Prefet Delegue Philippe Chopin all focused on the selected theme "One People Respecting the Past, Investing in Future".
Prefet Chopin used quotes from the former Prefet of St. Martin Dominque LaCroix who called on the elected officials to enforce stronger cooperation between the two sides of the island in the interest of the people living on the island. Chopin said having the speeches done on St. Martin's Day is one thing but implementing them is another thing "right now St. Martin/St. Maarten is on the pathway of making cooperation a reality, even though the two sides of the island is governed by different people it is possible to live as one family while respecting each other."
President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Alain Richardson told the gathering which included dignitaries from Anguilla that since he took office he made every effort to strengthen the cooperation on the two sides of the island. Richardson said the Collectivity is working on obtaining funds from the Interreg to assist with the drainage of rainwater in the Belvedere area while they also worked on the having proper potable water for the residents of Oyster Pond. The President of the Collectivity said that the signing of the declaration of intent to have the Dutch side renew the driver's licenses for those residents living on the French side is a living proof of the work the governments from both sides have been doing through cooperation. He further explained that the Collectivity did its best to become a shareholder of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) when they heard of the sale of bonds, but that project did not yield fruition.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams in her address said that the people of St. Maarten/St. Martin expect to hear from their people on St. Maarten Day and while many might say that the St. Maarten Day celebration is just about speeches she is of the opinion that it is the duty of the elected officials to preserve and respect the past while investing in the future. The Prime Minister said St. Maarten has made great strides in terms of cooperation between the two sides. Wescot Williams said in the past they did not recognize the importance of having the French State involved in the cooperation that has to take place so that the people of St. Maarten could live in harmony.
The Governor of St. Maarten Eugene Holiday quoted a verse from the bible that says that every man that hears the word of God and puts them into practice is like a wise man who build his house on a rock and it could withstand any storm. Governor Holiday in his address said the theme chosen for this year's festivities for him is a call for action in this challenging world. He said the forefathers of St. Maarten built a solid house which they are all proud of today. He said St. Maarten is blessed to share their house/home that was built by the island's parents and grandparents.
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