Good afternoon everyone.
Nearly six months ago, President Duke appointed me as the director of his administration's
Save the Pacific Project, tasked with assisting the regional government in the recovery process, working to pass a functioning Constitution, and to provide advice and oversight with regards to economic stimulus funds.
Working with the Governor and the Council, we have made truly significant progress. There were times, particularly at the lowest point of the crisis, when the relationship between the administration and the regional government became strained, and much of that is down to a lapse in communication, which I and the President both deeply regret. But I'm happy to say that we put the brief rocky period behind us and built a strong and friendly working relationship with both the Governor - DemPGH, and, before him, PJ - and the dedicated members of the Council. The initial trepidation I think many of us felt when this project was established soon faded away as we cooperated and consulted on legislation, budget programs and stimulus distribution.
The Pacific's journey is not over yet - we still have a long way to go. But the road we've travelled is by any standards impressive. Unemployment, at near-depression levels when I and, shortly after, Governor DemPGH, assumed office, has been
halved - from a peak of over 20% to 11%. It is still too high, but we've made real and sustainable progress that we can build upon in the future. Business confidence is up. Our credit rating is up. The Council has shown itself to be prudent and fiscally sensible, rejecting unfunded mandates and white elephant proposals while still holding true to the strong and enduring progressive tradition of our region. Activity, while still below the ideal, has picked up from its nadir. Senator Tyrion and I crafted a functioning constitution and, after debate and revision with the Council, worked to successfully have it ratified, restoring stability to the region.
We're not there yet, but we're getting there.
As many of you may have gleaned from the fact that the position is being advertised, I indicated to the President-elect after his election victory that I would shortly be standing down from the role of Pacific manager, in order to allow his new administration to appoint a capable successor. It has been a real privilege and a pleasure to work with DemPGH, Flo, our next Governor, TheCranberry and all the others who have passed through the Council these last six months. But almost half a year is a long time, and I think, given the progress we've made, it is time to step aside and concentrate on my work on the Supreme Court. I will formally submit my resignation to President Duke this July 1st.
Serving as Pacific project manager was a great experience. I have some regrets, true - the lapse in communication early on was an avoidable error that was thankfully soon overcome, and my idea of leading a healthcare reform think tank in addition to my duties in this office and on the Court proved untenable (I hope to resurrect this idea when the issue inevitably again comes up) - but I value the relationships I built through this job, the reforms we instituted together, and the observable progress that the Pacific's made. I thank President Duke, President-elect DemPGH, the members of the Council, Justice Bacon King, and, of course, the ordinary citizens of the Pacific for their cooperation, advice, and friendship over this period.
Thank you.
Director of the Save The Pacific Project
