to Minister Claret Connor: Serve With Wisdom, Integrity and Courage

𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘈𝘶𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵 5, 2026, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩, 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳, 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘤 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘳. 𝘌𝘮𝘪𝘬𝘰 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥-𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦. 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘋𝘳. 𝘌𝘮𝘪𝘬𝘰 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥-𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩:

Today, a year and eight months after the swearing in of Cabinet Mercelina II, we mark a moment that reaches beyond any single individual. During any governing period, change is inevitable; yet true leadership lies in the deliberate choice to ensure that such change does not hinder our progress, but instead becomes a catalyst for positive steps forward.

Mr. Claret Connor, with your acceptance of this post as Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, you complete the team of the Council of Ministers. By accepting this responsibility, we reaffirm that leadership is not about power, but about service. It is the commitment to listen, to unite, and to act with wisdom, integrity, and courage. This office demands steadiness in times of uncertainty, and humanity in times of change. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in building this nation together toward a great future.

Your previous valued experience as Minister of TEATT and VROMI, as Executive Director of the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce, and most recently as Director of the National Recovery Program Bureau, gives the people of Sint Maarten genuine hope. They look to you with the expectation that you will be honest and objective, demonstrating professionalism under all circumstances and striving for excellence throughout your tenure as Minister of VSA.

The people trust that you will act with justice and fairness, remaining true to this country and to yourself. Your judgment will not be shaped by personal feelings or opinions, but grounded in evidence and facts. It is expected that you conduct yourself with respect, reliability, and strong work ethics — qualities that define true public service.

A Minister carries not only portfolios, but also the hopes of people seeking progress, stability, and perspective. That human dimension makes this office not only demanding, but profoundly meaningful.

The challenges before us are many and complex, yet far from insurmountable. We stand at a crossroads where vision and determination must meet — where we look ahead toward a future in which justice, sustainability, and opportunity for all are not aspirations, but lived realities.

Today, we express our trust. Trust that you as the Minister of VSA, will communicate with transparency and work with determination toward a future that benefits us all.

Accepting the function of Minister through the oath which you are about to take in a few moments is:

First, a solemn expression of your commitment to perform your function with integrity;

Second, your pledge of allegiance to the King and the Kingdom Charter;

Third, your individual declaration to always uphold the Constitution of Sint Maarten; and finally, your pledge to dedicate yourself to fostering the wellbeing of the people of Sint Maarten.

May this oath serve as a compass — a reminder of the responsibility, dignity, and hope carried within this moment.

Congratulations and may God guide you and bless the people of Sint Maarten.

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