MP Omar Ottley: We crawl, we walk, and we fall, but we survive

GREAT BAY--“Fifteen years,” Ottley began, “Let’s put it in the context of a human being: you grow, you crawl, you walk, you stumble, you fall, you bruise — but you survive. We survive. And we are surviving.”

Member of Parliament Omar Ottley, Faction Leader of the United People’s (UP) Party, delivered his address during the solemn sitting of Parliament on Monday, October 13, 2025, to mark Constitution Day 2025. Reflecting on the nation’s 15-year journey since attaining country status, MP Ottley compared St. Maarten’s growth to that of a young person learning to stand, stumble, and rise again.

He noted that the commemoration of 10/10/10 was not only a time to celebrate milestones but also to honor those whose work made country status possible. “Although MP Sarah Wescot-Williams was correctly mentioned,” he said, “it would be remiss of me not to also mention MP William Marlin, former Governor Eugene Holiday, Vance James, and many more.”

Acknowledging the contributions of leaders past and present, Ottley continued, “When I look in the tribune, I see former lieutenant governors, former governors, presidents of parliament, and former prime ministers, you are all the building blocks and steps for where we are today.”

Addressing those who believe the country is not better off today, Ottley respectfully disagreed. “While some may say that they are not better off today, I can be one to differ,” he said. “I have seen development in St. Maarten. I have seen increase, maybe not at the pace that we want, but I have seen it. I have seen development of airports, boardwalks, harbors, and the continued development of our tourism product.”

He emphasized that progress is ongoing and that every citizen has a role to play in moving the nation forward. “We all have work to do, day by day,” he said. “I remember the days when politicians would walk the streets and the people of St. Maarten would embrace them wholeheartedly. Somewhere, somehow, that has been lost. The people don’t trust us anymore.”

Ottley acknowledged that the relationship between the people and their representatives must be rebuilt. “So we have some rebuilding and rebranding to do,” he stated. “We tear down each other, and because we do this, we fail to highlight our progresses. There is a time for everything, a time to go at each other, and a time to be united.”

He pointed to moments of unity that show the country’s potential when leaders work together for the common good. “We exemplified that on the floor of the Tweede Kamer in the Netherlands,” he said. “Opposition members and coalition members stood together to represent this country. That is what it’s about.”

Looking ahead, Ottley expressed optimism and faith for St. Maarten’s next 15 years. “I pray to God that within the next 15 years, we will be here celebrating even more progress,” he said.

He concluded his address by sharing a personal reflection he once wrote for a time capsule:

“Your determination defines your life. Your ambition defines how great you make your life. Never let anyone, to our youth, discourage you from being who you are set out to be. There will be bumps and bruises, but we survive.”

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