Community News

Executive Council honors Norman Hassell

Story - Saba Government Information Services and photo by Dave Levenstone

The Bottom, Saba: June 30, 2005

The Executive Council of Saba on Tuesday afternoon honored Mr. Norman Hassell for his dedicated and outstanding commitments to the island of Saba.

In presenting the special award Commissioner of General Affairs Mr. Will Johnson speaking on behalf of the Executive Council said that Mr. Norman Hassell was born on the island of Saba and in the 1930's he started working at the Post Office on Saba and he was sent to Curacao to become a wireless operator. Following that he went to Aruba and worked for the Lago Oil Refinery. At the time the Lago Oil Refinery offered him three times more the salary that he was receiving as a wireless operator and he accepted the position.

In 1947 his father came to Saba and encouraged him to go to the United States of America with him. He became a contractor in the U.S.A. and bought himself a farm in New Jersey. After that he bought another Horse Farm in Pennsylvania where he presently residing with his family.

Commissioner Johnson went on to state that in view of the Island Government commitment to promote heritage tourism together with the Director of Tourism Mr. Glenn Holm he discussed the idea of starting to promote some of our own that has been returning to the island on an annual basis.

After reviewing all odds we come up with the decision to honor Mr. Norman Hassell for being one of those Sabans who for the last 50 years has been returning to the island of Saba. Mr. Hassell over the last 50 years has been returning each year to visit his sister Ms. Marguerite Hassell and to also visit his many friends on the island.

In accepting the plaque Mr. Norman Hassell said that he was very delighted to have been able to receive the award from the Government and people of Saba. I return each year to visit my sister and to also see my beloved island of birth. I am always happy to be home for a couple of days and have the opportunity to meet new acquaintances. Mr. Hassell was very surprised and became very emotional as he was never informed before hand what he would have been receiving.

He went on to state that the plaque will receive a safe area within his home in the United States of America and it will be treasured. He was visiting this time not only to be with his sister but he was also here to witness the wedding ceremony of one of his daughters. The wedding ceremony took place last week Thursday afternoon.

Commissioner Johnson told the SGIS that under his watch he will continue to honor Sabans that are presently residing abroad. Many of our people has made us proud of them and we should honor them when they return to the island on vaction.

Photo: Son inlaw and daughter, Mr. Norman Hassell, Ms. Marguerite Hassell, Commissioner Will Johnson and Commissioner Lisa Hassell at the Government Administration Building in The Bottom.

Click here for a larger version of the photo.


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