Popular rally: Daniel Gibbs: "Together, we will rebuild our" country "!

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More than a month after the devastating passage of Hurricane Irma, the president of the Community, Daniel Gibbs, addressed the people of Saint-Martin during a large popular rally organized last Sunday on the Sea Front in Marigot.

“I am very moved to see you so numerous here on our dear Marigot Sea Front, which represents in my eyes and in the eyes of many Saint-Martinois, a symbolic place.

This is where the ancients used to meet. They liked to meet on the Place du Marché, which was not so long ago - until the mid-90s - under the large Sand Box Tree (in front of the sea bar).

Ironically, IRMA uprooted this masterful tree. We were forced to remove it, no later than Friday, with a heavy heartache. This story is symptomatic of what we have been experiencing for a month.

The most difficult to accept for the man and the chosen one that I am, is the human toll of this climatic disaster. 11 lives directly mown, eleven families plunged in pain and distress.

On this gathering day, I have a very emotional thought for the victims of IRMA, for their families. We send them our full support and our deepest condolences.

When the time comes, we will be able to pay an official tribute to our missing.

Saint-Martin lost a lot, but we also learned a lot. We have seen that in the face of adversity some - and fortunately they are the most numerous - have shown the best of themselves, showing generosity and kindness. While others have revealed their darker side. I think of the looters.

For those, I know that justice will continue its action so that their actions do not go unpunished.

Last April, the elected representatives of the territorial council committed themselves to Saint-Martin, its prosperity and the success of its youth.

IRMA must not divert our path, but on the contrary strengthen our determination and give us the opportunity to go further.

Let us not be mistaken. It is up to us Saint-Martinois to raise our country.

Of course, we are accompanied by the highest authorities in the state, by Madame la Préfète and her teams at the local level, but it is up to us to decide our destiny and give the impetus to economic recovery and to the reconstruction of our territory.

I have said it many times already, "I will not let go." I will do everything to obtain just reparation and financial compensation in line with the damage we have suffered and the legitimate expectations of our people.

IRMA was a huge shock, to the point where our local administration was hit as hard as all of you.

We have overcome this ordeal, our administration is in working order, and I have a thought for all the agents who have suffered damage and who must nevertheless ensure their missions of public service to our population.

Dear friends, if I have brought you together today, it is above all to send you a message of hope. Together, we will rebuild our "country", I count on you.

We will move forward as we know how to do it, working each at our level, in cohesion and unity.

Cooperation, solidarity, union, are essential values, which resonate all the more strongly since September 6, and I can only feel proud of my people when I see the result of our efforts a month later.

I am proud of your resilience, of your personal investment, alongside businesses, the armed forces, and the many volunteers who gave their time to clean Saint-Martin.

Proud of the unfailing generosity of our fellow citizens towards those who have lost everything. These are the true values ​​of Saint-Martin and I congratulate you on them.

I thank the pastors who responded to this call to the gathering. Many churches have been destroyed, and it was only natural to allow them to reunite their faithful on this Sea Front, damaged but still there. ” _AF

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