23.DEC.09

Editor: We are at the end of another year and I would like to take this opportunity to wish every one a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2010. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Management and Staff of the Searchlight newspaper for giving me the opportunity to express some of my views, but more importantly for the contribution they have made to the development of our country throughout the year.{{more}}

As usual, I look forward to the New Year with optimism but with some degree of fear. We are entering a year that could be one of heightened political activity hence the possibility of more division of our people. This would result in our positive and creative energy giving way to the negative energy.

We cannot go through this year after year and expect us to progress as a nation. I believe that most would admit that we spent too much time focusing on politics in 2009 and it was of little benefit to most of us. Therefore, for the New Year, let us redirect our energy and recharge ourselves for a new mission. This is a mission of changing the country through the changing of minds. We are too negative as a people, hence the best in our people is not coming through. I place much of the blame at the feet of our politicians. Every decision must not be a political one, but must

be in the interest of the people.

In the New Year, we ought to hold national discussions on where we want to go as a nation. Every one has a right to be heard and a contribution to make. Let us harness the creative energy of our people and encourage one another. We have to change the way we do things. Remember, if

you cannot change yourself you cannot change others.

There is this national song, “We are out to build a new St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” so let us take it seriously and let the mission begin in earnest.



Mystic