Girls & Boys, Ladies & Gentlemen, Friends from near and far. Happy Saba Day. Today I stand proudly before you to celebrate with you our 44th annual Saba Day. The theme this year is “Building the Roads to the Future”. If our forefathers and mothers were present here today to witness what has transpired since the road was started in 1938 they wouldn’t believe it. Saba and Sabans have come a long way and it is imperative that we don’t become complacent. At the same time we also have to face the challenge of not being like the rest. The Caribbean islands will face the effects and are facing the effects of climate change due to our position in the hurricane belt and the rising sea levels. It is our duty now to build the road to the future which takes development and conservation both into account. We always want more and better and newer but for every choice there comes a cost. The Executive & Island Councils are discussing and deliberating the best way forward as it pertains to spatial development and the development in general of our island. The community will be involved as the plans concern the residents of the island. It is important that input is received from the community.
We are now on the eve of ending another decade in the 2000’s. Next year is 2020. Some may ask where has time gone. Island Council Member Ishmael Levenstone would always quote his grandmother Judy by saying “Time is longer than a ball of twine”. Time waits on no one. Therefore, it is important we make the best use of the time we have. Today we are here to enjoy each other’s company and fellowship. We don’t know what the future holds but we must prepare ourselves.