~ DP launches Chapter of Professional Young People ~
Senator Erno Labega was appointed Deputy Leader of the Democratic Party and Former Commissioner Michael Ferrier as President of the new DP board at the party’s mid-year conference on Saturday. Under banners that declared "55 Years, Stronger Than Ever", party leader Sarah Wescott-Williams rallied her membership and declared that DP’s campaign for the election for Country St. Maarten has officially started.
Labega, who is the son of co-founder of the DP the late Clem Labega, accepted the responsibility bestowed on him by his party leader and the general membership and assured that his loyalty and support will always be with the red party. "I can say here today that our party leader will never have to look over her shoulder with me. I will continue to proudly represent the DP and the people of St. Maarten whenever and wherever I am called upon to do so in government," Labega said.
Ferrier will lead a complete board of experienced DP stalwarts as, he admitted, the party goes through a "rebuilding and re-focussing" stage (see related story). Vice President will be Stuart Johsnon, the youngest to ever hold that post, Julian Rollocks will be Secretary General, Gregory Richardson Deputy Secretary General, former Commissioner Roy Marlin is the new treasurer and Margaret Williams is Deputy Treasurer. Rounding out the board are four Commissioners, Lourdes Lake, Orvillle Thompson, Richelda Emmanuel and Leopold Yorke.
Wescott-Williams also introduced the DP’s Chapter of Professional Young People to the general membership. She said the CPYP will be positioned to not only reach out to other professional young adults, but be prepared to be the future leadership of the party. She explained that the CPYP’s mission is to develop a cadre of young St. Maarten Professionals, with an ardor for further self development as a basis to be effective in overall community development. This self development can be political, formative, media-related and or community related.
Member of the CPYP Emilia Thomas said the members are young professionals are of different disciplines. It’s an inclusive approach, non discriminatory. "Young and professional is a state of mind. Through self development and community outreach, especially to the youth and other young professionals, CPYP wishes to leave its mark on the community as its members prepare for public office or outreach programs Technology will be used optimally to further the goals of CPYP," Thomas said.
Wescott-Williams also added that she hopes the CPYP goes out and break that negative impression that other young professionals have about politics. "Politics doesn’t have to be dirty. It is a process, sometimes complicated, often times compromising, all leading to getting things done for your people. It is the people who you elect sometimes that give politics its dirty reputation," she said.
In addressing her membership, Wescott-Williams recognized that the party made mistakes, but said it was given a golden opportunity to correct those mistakes and to draw a line when it comes to party loyalty. "Today we are celebrating 55 years and preparing for another 55 years. We have closed one chapter and we’re moving on. The DP has been through worst in our past, but we have a strong legacy which serves as a solid foundation as we go forward," she said.
In echoing Ferrier’s call for "serious, loyal and dedicated people" Wescott-Williams said while her party will remain as inclusive as it has always been, it cannot tolerate people who sit on the fence and "hedge". "We are drawing that line. We will be humble, we will be courteous, but you can’t be half of a color. You are either all red or not," she said sternly. My goal from here on out is to prove that this old call of "DP is dead" is once again the biggest fallacy on the political landscape. The worst thing you could do is allow me to have time on my hands," she concluded.