Officials at the commencement of Public Service Week 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters

The week’s activities kicked off with praise and worship which included remarks from leaders showing public service appreciation for years of dedicated services in the various sectors. Photo: Team of Reporters

Those praises were uttered on Monday, October 8, 2018, at the commencement of Public Service Week 2018 under the theme “One Public Service - transforming together”.  The week’s activities kicked off with praise and worship which included remarks from leaders showing public service appreciation for years of dedicated services in the various sectors.

Vivid Memories

At yesterday’s kick-start event, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) was filled with glee reminiscing on past events that saw the participation of public servants and other legislators. He recalled being in a track race and dropping out leaving the competition between Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL). 

He reflected to make a point, “This is what I want to say about Public Service; we must all participate. We may not all have the same degree of energy or the aptitude for various things but we can all participate.”

Teamwork was part of his main message to those present, “With this year focus on transformation we are cognizant of the teamwork to be done in continuing moving this territory forward,” he said. He also reflected on the contribution of the public service towards the rebuilding of the territory after last year’s natural disasters.

Integrity, intensity, loyalty, love & team spirit

“While we were unable to celebrate public service week last year we display the same integrity, the same intensity, the same loyalty, love and team spirit and dedication to begin rebuilding almost immediately after we were impacted by Irma,” Premier Smith said.

He further stated, “Your hard work has not gone unnoticed and I publicly thank you… you did the work that brought us thus far and I am grateful now for the work you will accomplish to take us even further..”

For Governor of the VI His Excellency Augustus J. U. Jaspert who is a newcomer to the celebration of Public Service Week in the territory, the celebrations will take a different focus for the first time.

During previous years, the activities were designed and executed with lots of fun and competing, however, this year there will be less frolic and more recovery building activities.

Waky Wednesday

While the staff at the Governor’s office will try to get him dressed for the “Waky day” he notes, on another level, his firm belief is in the teamwork spirit, “I am a firm believer that the work that we do in our offices and the steps we take to make our work environment better all boils down to how brilliant we feel…” he said.

Governor Jaspert told the sector, “We have an opportunity now to be better than we were before, we have the opportunity to re-brand ourselves, we have an opportunity to transform.”

“We must transform together. A team that moves together, a team collaborates, a team works together to ensure that no one in the group falls. If one falters, the team falters. We have an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the public service,” he added.