GREAT BAY (May 29 2000) — Government leader Sarah Wescott-Williams is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Saturday, June 3 book party for The Republic of St. Martin by Joseph H. Lake, Jr., 8 PM at the Jubilee Library.
“We are confident that Commissioner Wescott-Williams, given her well known dedication to education, will deliver a unique address about this book as an original discussion of ideas about the St. Martin nation, our identity and way of life, and our people’s working at solutions in St. Martin’s interest,” says Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers.
Sample also notes that the commissioner’s dedication includes significant past cooperation, and sometimes-personal attention to House of Nehesi’s publishing, especially of research-based books. “This approach made her a natural guest speaker choice for this book party at a time when well-thought out ideas and mature judgment will guide people in making their individual decision about the fast approaching referendum choices on June 23.”
The Republic of St. Martin is already at Van Dorp bookstore, and “comes without excuses or casting blame, out of St. Martin’s history and culture,” says Lake. “It is a portrait for on-going ideas, plans, preparation, and success in birthing the St. Martin nation.” Over the last few days, the book began generating exciting discussions on TV and radio talk shows, not only about Lake’s vision of a St. Martin republic in chapter three but also about his views on the origins of the St. Martin nation and a challenging critique about the island territory in chapters one and two respectively.
The book’s appendixes include the Dutch government’s overview about how St. Martin can become independent in a responsible manner. Lake is publisher and political scientist.