WELCOME, 2003

One cannot but marvel about the fleeting time and sometimes how we are really unaware of it until a new year has dawned upon us.

But as we venture into what may largely or wholly be the unknown, it behooves all of us to arm ourselves with faith, hope and courage and to look to the Almighty and Sustainer for guidance, protection and even some well-needed prosperity. It will do everyone of us a measure of good to embark on a number of positive and well-meaning resolutions which will help to steer the right course which Anguilla and ourselves should take in this year and beyond.

We have a lot on our plate this year and in some cases it will call for bold and imaginative action to realise some of our expectations. Among the ongoing chores is the movement towards constitutional and electoral reform. The greatest challenge appears to be a disquieting disinterest in the process by many of the rank and file of our people, as displayed during the presentations of the open and informational forums. This is only part of the process as other publicity and awareness efforts are still to follow. Constitutional reform is a matter in which all of our people must have a democratic participation. Are our people waiting on the Review Committee to embark on constitutional and electoral reforms and then to make noise? To the contrary, the people must make their voices heard loudly and clearly.

We also have on our hands a great deal of other concerns. Those at the finger tips include the need for the further development of Anguilla and its economy; the provision of increased job opportunities and social activities in an island teeming with young and restless people; the need to control the crime rate; the need for better health and welfare programmes; and the challenge to cope with the escalating cost of living. We cannot escape the impact of world events on our economy, way of life and behavioural patterns, but somehow we must endeavour to carve out a niche for ourselves in which we muster some survival.

Notwithstanding the difficult and uncertain times we are facing, we must cling to the hope that better days are ahead. To live in hope is to tell ourselves that all is not lost and that He who governs the universe is still with us. It is in this spirit that we welcome the New Year 2003 and offer our very best wishes to everyone everywhere.