/**
  * Ensure that only one instance of the maintenance tracker exists and returns it
  * @return MaintenanceTracker   The maintenance tracker instance
  */
 public static function getMaintenanceTracker()
 {
     if (MaintenanceTracker::$maintenanceTracker === null) {
         //if it has not been created
         MaintenanceTracker::$maintenanceTracker = new MaintenanceTracker();
     }
     //create
     return MaintenanceTracker::$maintenanceTracker;
 }