On Tuesday June 9th 2009, Mr.Xavier Blackman was sworn in as a Commissioner.
The National Alliance/Heyliger coalition government is now complete with the appointment of Xavier Blackman as "professional" commissioner (vakgedeputeerde) in the new Executive Council. He was sworn in Tuesday morning in an Island Council meeting.
Blackman joins NA Commissioners William Marlin, Frans Richardson and Hyacinth Richardson, and independent Commissioner Theo Heyliger, who took office Monday. Blackman will be responsible for the Finance, Personnel Affairs and Legal Affairs portfolios in the new government.
Blackman is not a member of the Island Council and does not have a vote there. He has a vote in the Executive Council, of which he is a full-fledged member.
Blackman’s credentials were checked by a committee comprising Commissioners William Marlin and Theo Heyliger and Island Councilwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams during a brief adjournment of the Island Council meeting.
After taking the oath, Blackman noted that a lot of work had already been put into meetings and reports on and about the impending constitutional change and attainment of country status, and said now was the time to act. "I believe now the focus should be on delivery – on performance. Having been around most of those here in the Island and Executive Councils today and also a large part of the civil service of St. Maarten, I know that that can and will take place," he said.
Very clear and open lines of communication locally and with kingdom partners are needed to optimise performance, Blackman said. "I think it is important that at all times we have a very clear and frank dialogue with our other partners."
He is happy to play a part in St. Maarten at this juncture in its political history and to give "valuable input."
He thanked the people of St. Maarten via the Island Council members for giving him the opportunity to serve. "For the want of a better word, I am a little bit shocked that I am standing here as a commissioner for the Island Territory of St. Maarten. I may seem cool at all times, but believe me, I am very impressed and still somewhat intimidated that I am standing here as a commissioner."
Blackman said he would make the people of St. Maarten and Saba proud in the execution of his duties.
Blackman also thanked NA leader Commissioner William Marlin for giving him this new challenge at this point in his career. "You [Marlin] realised from my initial reaction, it came as quite a shock. It really came out of the blue but I have decided it is a challenge I wanted to take up."
He thanked his parents for guiding and correcting him as a "sometimes unruly young man growing out" to become the person he is today. He especially singled out his grandmother, Omayra Sorton of Saba, for her support and guidance.
He also thanked his good friend and mentor former Saba commissioner Will Johnson for his support. "I spoke to him more often in the past three days than the nine years we worked together."
Blackman has served as State Secretary for Finance on behalf of Saba in past Central Government coalitions. He said Johnson had cautioned him that working in an Executive Council was very different from being a state secretary.
The new commissioner, who was born in Saba, was employed as an assistant director with firm KPMG, but has since resigned. He has also resigned as a St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry board member.
The Island Council also was informed that Councilman Patrick Illidge (NA) had tendered his resignation. He will remain an Island Council member until a new member is sworn in from the NA’s ranks. State Secretary for Health George Pantophlet and Illidge will trade places.
