To the Constituents of the country St. Maarten:
Dear people of St. Maarten,
Grace to you!
A wise man once said: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: …" And my time, to step down as an elected member of parliament, has come.
First and foremost I would like to thank the Most High God, for His guidance in my life,
I would like to thank all those who cast their votes for me and trusted that I can be different and make a difference. Thank you!
To all my supporters, you know who you are, thank you for giving me a chance to serve the people of St. Maarten in a higher calling.
My Mission in Life is and has always been to Serve others and that is exactly what I will continue to do.
Last but not least I would like to thank my family for enduring my lengthy absence from quality family time. Thank you for standing by my side, in thick and thin. While wearing multiple hats.
I would like at this time to share with you my personal reasons for stepping down: in politics I have learned that there are multiple strategies in demand for a successful political career, and one of them is to keep your party leader in the forefront. I have chosen to give UP my position in Parliament so that the party leader, which in this case is "Theo Heyliger", may come in. I believe that being the mayor vote getter of the election of 2010 this was and is a clear indication of the people’s will. I too trust the political skills, wisdom and humanism of the UP party leader.
The reason of my resignation has been questioned by some by asking what have I received in order to step down? With this I would like to make it over and abundantly clear that my party leader, Theo Heyliger, has in No form or Fashion requested me to step down from my position as a member of parliament and nothing has been offered to me and no one has offered me any thing to take the action that I have made. I have and always will work hard for what I want as long as God give me health and strength. I have done this willingly and in my own time.
I pray that God will give him wisdom and discernment. God bless the Leadership of St. Maarten, God bless the people of St. Maarten.
God bless St. Maarten.
Dare to be Different and make a Difference!
Douglass, Ruth M.D. M.P.