PHILIPSBURG--The Democratic Party released its manifesto over the weekend.
The manifesto, entitled "The Right Change," is available on the party's Facebook page as well as on the Facebook pages of its candidates and members and the website of Council lady Maria Buncamper-Molanus: www.mariabuncamper.com. The party said it will also be releasing the manifesto through other mediums in the next few days.
The manifesto outlines the party's pledge to the people of St. Maarten and focuses on the plans the party has for every sector including jobs, the economy, government reform, constitutional issue, law enforcement, the environment, campaign finance reform, tax reform, immigration, social security, pension plans and more.
There is also a section entitled "Contract with St. Maarten." Party leader Councilwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams explained that by the end of November, a DP administration will convene a conference with all stakeholders in St. Maarten to continue its efforts of developing a National Development Plan (NDP) for St. Maarten.
"Participating in this conference will be representatives of education, labour, banking sector, social sector (NGO's) Chamber of Commerce, youth organisations, public health, harbour and airport authorities, telecommunications companies, the marine sector, the hotel sector, public transportation sector, environmental organisations, the justice system, the churches and government," the manifesto outlined.
The intention of this conference is to create a multi annual contract between government and stakeholders. This multi annual contract will be transformed into the government programme for the period 2010 to 2014.
"The DP is cognisant of the fact that not all actions coming out of such a conference can be executed in a four year period, but we strongly believe that transitioning to country gives us the opportunity to set things right. The first years of Country St. Maarten , if handled and executed right with the involvement of all will set a solid foundation for managed economic growth, improved social services, a stable investment climate, reduced unemployment, reduced crime which are some of the challenges we are presently faced with."
Wescot-Williams said democracy is the bedrock of our political system and in its simplest yet truest form it should be by the people, for the people. The Democratic Party, she said, places the emphasis on "for the people."
"In our pursuit of an autonomous St. Maarten, we are firstly and foremost called to inspire and lead our people to think and act independently, and to take responsibility for their actions. 10-10-10 is not the end, instead there is the commitment to continue to work for the people so that our island nation and all who call it home can progress," she said.
She continued: "The Democratic Party has been seriously challenged in the last year but we believe that from every adversity comes opportunity. We are conscious of that which is necessary to succeed after a decade and a half of constitutional change, recognising that with the transition in sight and new horizons ahead, there is an important role that our Party must play.
"The prospects are daunting, success is by no means guaranteed and as such we must consolidate our efforts, plan comprehensively and raise our island's community to higher heights through stronger social cohesion, a sustainable economy, higher and expanded education. This is our pledge to the people of St. Maarten," she concluded.
