Published 13 February 2020
Buckie Got It. St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Trevlyn Stapleton confirmed as National Assembly Deputy Clerk
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, February 13, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Governor General, His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, has approved the recommendation of the Public Service Commission that Ms Trevlyn Stapleton’s appointed post and date to be changed to Deputy Clerk, National Assembly, with effect from January 1, 2020.
Speaker of the National Assembly, the Hon A. Michael Perkins, made the announcement on Wednesday February 12 at the start of the sitting of parliament. Ms Stapleton, 25, an Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, has been deputising the Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs Sonia Boddie-Thompson since last year December during Budget debates in an acting position.
“I take the opportunity to congratulate young Ms Trevlyn Stapleton on her formal appointment to the post of Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, and I wish her well in the position,” said the Hon Perkins.
During a break of the parliamentary session, the Hon Perkins added: “I also say congratulations and special thanks the Clerk herself, Mrs Boddie-Thompson, who has single-handedly held the position of Clerk for the past two years-plus, and would have done an outstanding job. I am sure she is now happy for the support that she would now get from the Deputy Clerk.”
Also congratulating the newly appointed Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly was Prime Minister, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, who observed that Team Unity gives opportunity to young people.
“It is indeed a very significant role and it will allow her to become familiar with the parliamentary life at a very young age,” said Prime Minister Harris. “She is lucky to have with her, as a Clerk, Sonia Boddie-Thompson, who has had experience, who is also still a very young lady and has had the opportunity of assisting the parliament over a prolonged period of time. I think today is a good day because this signals that the government is open to everyone to be able to utilise their talents and to reach great heights without consideration of their age.”
The Honourable Prime Minister hoped the appointment would inspire young people that their conduct, their behaviour, and their academic achievement would be valued by the society and they would be given increasing opportunities to actualise. He also commended Speaker the Hon Perkins for having an input in Ms Stapleton’s selection and for finding her a worthy person in which the honour of that kind of service could be bestowed.
In congratulating Ms Stapleton, Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs Sonia Boddie-Thompson said she was happy to have her on board to assist her with the work of the Parliament.
“I know she comes with a wealth of administrative experience and that is going to be certainly very useful for the type of work that we undertake in the parliament,” said Mrs Boddie-Thompson. “She has really been a great support to me because from time to time I may have to exit the parliament to deal with matters and now I am able to still sit in parliament and have her go out and come back in, and so at all time the parliament will be manned by a clerical person at the table. I know I can now slip out and have a little break because she is also there to assist me.”
The new Deputy Clerk, Ms Trevlyn Stapleton, said she was indeed honoured to receive this opportunity to serve her country in that capacity, and promised to do her country good.
“To be chosen to serve in this capacity is truly a blessing,” said Ms Stapleton. “I am grateful to have the Clerk Mrs Sonia Boddie-Thompson to be my mentor so far, and I am sure throughout we have been working well – we will continue to work well, and I promise to do the country good.”
