I extend greetings for a happy and peaceful new year.
As you are all aware I demit office this year. My last day as Deputy Governor of Anguilla will be 30th June, 2016. I however anticipate that my last working day, before proceeding on leave, will be in late May. I have cherished the opportunity to serve Anguilla in various capacities culminating in the post of Deputy Governor. During my almost thirty years of service in the Anguilla Public Service, I have had many varied experiences. I have encountered many persons whose counsel I have benefited from. I will be forever grateful to these persons and I hope I have in turn been able to contribute in some meaningful way to the development of individuals, the Anguilla Public Service and Anguilla generally.
My interactions with public officers in the Anguilla Public Service have strengthened my conviction that most of you are desirous of offering the best service to our Anguillian community and are equipped to offer that service. I have often been asked how I can remain so optimistic about the Anguilla Public Service, in the face of public criticism and apparent low morale among public officers. I remain optimistic because I see the value in each of you and I continue to hope that each of you will recognise your value to the whole, which is Anguilla. With such recognition will come continued improvements in the services we deliver and in the standard of service delivered.
Improved standards in the Anguilla Public Service will also be assured if we continually ensure the improvement and integrity of our policies, processes and rules. It is not enough to have policies, processes and rules if we are unaware of them, do not understand them and do not promote their consistent application. Ensuring the integrity of our policies, processes and rules will invariably require us to challenge each other. While this will lead to moments of discomfort, it serves to ensure that short-term convenience does not erode well-founded standards.
I look forward to engaging with you over the next few months as my service as a member of the Anguilla Public Service draws to a close. Invariably my level of interaction in the coming months will be tailored to ensure that I do not unduly interfere with my successor’s vision for the Anguilla Public Service.
Mr Perin Bradley, who currently serves as Comptroller Inland Revenue, will assume the role of Deputy Governor in a substantive capacity on 1st July, 2016. He will need your support to deliver on the many facets of the job. It is also vital that the Deputy Governor supports public officers, particularly in their efforts to secure the integrity of the Anguilla Public Service systems. I anticipate that you will receive such support. The establishment of this mutually supportive role will augur well for the positive development of the Anguilla Public Service.
Remember as an individual, you can contribute to the difference we are seeking to achieve.
Stanley E. Reid
Deputy Governor
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
