St. Paul residents welcomed the new year with a promise of renewed opportunity as Parliamentary Representative E.P. Chet Greene delivered an inspiring address declaring 2026 “The Year of the Youth.”

Greene, speaking with gratitude and hope for what lies ahead, reminded the community that its greatest strength lies in its young people, not as future beneficiaries but as active builders of today.

“Our youth are not waiting in the wings,” Greene said in his New Year Message. “They are ready now — ready to lead, ready to learn, ready to claim the tools that will shape their success.”

He pointed to the nearing completion of the Leroy “Billy” Tonge Technical Centre in Liberta as a symbol of this shift. Once operational, the facility will provide hands-on training in building trades, cosmetology, architecture, and other career pathways, encouraging entrepreneurship and self-determination.

“It is more than a building — it is a beacon,” he declared. “A light guiding our young people toward independence and pride.”

Greene also reaffirmed several priorities for the coming year designed to reinforce the community’s foundation:
•⁠ ⁠Expanding home ownership opportunities for residents
•⁠ ⁠Boosting entrepreneurship, especially among young innovators
•⁠ ⁠Deepening support for elders and protecting their well-being
•⁠ ⁠Ensuring every child has access to learning tools and guidance
•⁠ ⁠Continuing upgrades to roads, water services, and health facilities
•⁠ ⁠Celebrating and elevating athletic talent emerging from St. Paul’s

He urged residents to treat recently enhanced clinics in Liberta and Cobbs Cross as community-owned assets, essential to maintaining a healthy population.

Greene praised the strong civic pride that has made St. Paul’s stand out nationally, calling it a “cleanest and proudest” community whose success comes from shared effort and trust.

Echoing scripture and emphasizing unity, the St. Paul’s representative encouraged a year of action, collective responsibility, and unwavering support for one another:
“Let us move forward with purpose,” he said. “Offering hospitality without grumbling. Choosing compassion over conflict. Being our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.”

Greene closed his message by wishing residents a vibrant and fulfilling year:
“May 2026 bring health, happiness, productivity, and God’s everlasting peace to every household,” he said. “God bless you, and God bless the people of St. Paul’s.”