GREAT BAY, St. Martin — An Introduction to Government – Island territory St. Maarten by Louis Duzanson, will be the star attraction at the book launch at Philipsburg Jubilee Library on Saturday, March 4, 2000, at 8 PM. The mistress of ceremony for the evening will be the lovely Angelique Roumou, a teacher and St. Martin’s candidate to the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. Another beauty scheduled to make a special appearance will be Sabrina, the fashion model for 2000.
While copies of An Introduction to Government are at Van Dorp and other bookstores, it is at the book party where folks come to enjoy that ambiance of toasting a new book and getting the author’s autograph. The book include chapters on admission of island council members, the pay-scale system for councilors, commissioners and the lt. governor, principles of good government, how bills become laws, and the differences between the island territories.
Duzanson, the author of An Introduction to Government is no stranger to researching, writing, or co-authoring official documents but this is his first book. His educational and professional background makes him the most sought after election expert here by researchers, the media and politicians. Commissioned by House of Nehesi to write the book in 1998, Duzanson currently heads the territory’s Facilitation Department. An Introduction to Government is the first edition of House of Nehesi’s “Introduction to Government” series, and while the court system is mentioned in the introduction of Duzanson’s book, at least two other editions are planned to explain the workings of the public administration system and the court here.
Drs. Gracita Arrindell will be the keynote speaker at the Saturday launch. “Drs. Arrindell holds a degree in political science. Her career experience includes government administration management as an assistant island secretary. St. Martin benefited from her mature and dignified leadership of the 1994 constitutional status referendum committee. She is an ideal person to review An Introduction to Government and put its importance and usefulness in perspective,” says House of Nehesi Publishers vp Jacqueline Sample.
House of Nehesi considers this book the closest it has come to publishing a social studies school textbook. The fact that there does not exist one book in the schools addressing specifically the “island territory’s” legislative, executive, and supervisory structure here, and in English, makes An Introduction to Government a long past due title, admits the publisher. Angelo Rombley and Sundiata Lake designed the book’s cover and graphs respectively.
The pioneerseries, featuring Father Alfie, panman Chester York, and champion cyclist Gassy Richardson, and the monograph Big Up St. Martin: Essay & Poem will also be formally introduced at the book party, for the first time since their 1999 release.
Book parties have become a standard of St. Martin’s cultural and social life for nearly 15 years and the March 4 affair will be no less in style and content than previous book parties, says Sample. “What we really have this time is a book fête because around the main title we are featuring four other publications.”
On Saturday Duzanson will read selections from An Introduction to Government and later sign autographs. Four of the top Gateway program graduates will sing, there will be a live jazz performance led by first lady of music Anastacia Larmonie; and refreshments will be served while folks enjoy the company of each other. Remember that House of Nehesi has become notorious for starting on time. “We are looking forward to seeing all of our old and new friends of the arts and culture on Saturday,” says Sample.