My Fellow Sint Maarteners at home and abroad,
I join you in welcoming the New Year 2014 as a new chapter unfolds.
The year 2013 has been a challenging year for the community and the business community. The country once again went through a change in Government. The United People’s party was asked to give its support in forming a new Government of the people, for the people, and by the people. We took this decision knowing that the people wanted political stability and to deal with governing the country.
Much has been accomplished in the past little over six-months since the UP party joined with coalition partners the Democratic Party and Independent Member of Parliament Hon. Romain Laville to form a Government.
On various fronts actions have been taken to further solidify the governing of the country in education, sports, youth, health, justice, public finances, and public infrastructure. The coming six months will also be a busy period for the Government, especially after the 2014 budget has been approved by the House of Parliament.
The year 2013 has been a challenging one for the country, but I expect that 2014 will be a better year for the people of this country. 2014 is also an election year where the country will go to the polls to elect members of the 2nd Parliament of Country Sint Maarten. This is an important year, where the stewardship of the country will demand a Government with foresight, and determination to make the right decisions in the interests of the people of this great country of ours.
For 2014, I would like to see our community continue to make headway due to the hard work and efforts of the hard working people in all facets of society. Let 2014 be the year of the Sint Maarten people. There are many positive examples of Sint Maarteners doing good deeds and helping others. These persons reflect the best of our society which embodies all that is good. Let their spirit once again spread to others and further strengthen the Sint Maarten society in building a stronger Sint Maarten nation for all.
As a nation of people, let us all work together to advance the interest of all the people bringing their hopes and aspirations to fruition by creating opportunities that would allow the human spirit to grab at it and reach for the stars. Let us make 2014 a year of action.
I wish all Sint Maarteners a Blessed and Very Happy New Year on behalf of my family, as well as the UP party family.
Theo Heyliger
Leader of the United Peoples (UP) Party, Member of Parliament
Wednesday, January 1, 2014