Three years and 6 months have past since St. Maarten's Environmental, Natural and Cultural Heritage Foundations first learnt of and filed objections against the proposed plans to develop the Emilio Wilson Estate.
Between September 2005 and February 2009 both the Executive Council and the Island Council have made commitments to the people of St. Maarten, in several Island Resolutions and Executive Council decisions, by denying the B.V.'s planning permit request and by resolving to protect the entire Emilio Wilson Estate based on its Cultural, Historical, Ecological, and Environmental Values.
The Island Council passed an Island Resolution on September 20th 2005 in which the Council resolved:
1. "To declare that the Island Territory is in favor of placing the estates the industry and the Goldenrock on the list of monuments of St. Maarten because of their historical and cultural value to the people of St. Maarten".
2. To charge the Executive Council of St. Maarten to present within sixty (60) days the following options and their consequences/implications- separately or in combination with one and another for:
a. Placing the Industry and the Goldenrock on the list of monuments of St. Maarten
b. The purchase of the property The Industry and the Goldenrock commonly known as the Emilio Wilson Estate.
On June 23rd, 2006 Government rejected/ denied the planning permit request submitted by the "Emilio Wilson Estate B.V." on the grounds that:
• The Emilio Wilson Estate B.V. was not formally established nor did it own the Emilio Wilson Estate property (or have a power of attorney to act as such) at the time of submitting the planning permit request/ proposal.
• The Emilio Wilson Estate is of Cultural and Historical value as described by Archaeologist Dr. Jay Haviser.
• The Emilio Wilson Estate is of Ecological Value as described in several reports.
• The area's water retention capacity and its role in preventing floods.
On July 10th, 2007 the Island Council unanimously passed an Island Resolution in which they:
• Reaffirmed the Council's aforementioned decision of June 23rd 2006.
• Decided to place both the entire Industry and the entire Goldenrock estates, commonly known as the "Emilio Wilson Estate", on the monument list.
Most recently, on July 1st, 2008 the Executive Council resolved to have the entire Emilio Wilson Estate designated as a protected monument and to zone it for conservation purposes. In addition to the aforementioned Executive Council decision, the VROM department of Sector ROB recently compiled a "draft preparatory resolution Conservation Areas" which is in essence the first step towards a comprehensive conservation zoning plan for the entire Emilio Wilson Estate.
Mr. Henri Brookson and his partners the Paas Family only managed to "obtain" the estate through a deal with the heirs of the late Mr. Emilio Wilson's brother the late Mr. Granville Wilson in early 2008. This arrangement, which requires Brookson and associates to make additional payments to the heirs of Mr. G. Wilson upon obtaining a planning permit, was made over 2 years and 5 months after Government first indicated and motivated its intention to protect the entire Emilio Wilson Estate. Brookson was therefore fully aware of Government's intention to have the estate protected and zoned for conservation purposes when he pursued and secured a deal with the heirs of Mr. G. Wilson.
Brookson's statements that he is the sole and outright owner of the Emilio Wilson Estate as well as his recently submitted "new plans for the Emilio Wilson Estate" are therefore just another unashamed attempt at misleading the general public and at depriving St. Maarten's residents of their patrimony for the sole purpose of personal financial gain.
EWEF and St. Maarten Pride Foundation reassure the numerous people that called the foundation's board members to express concern during the course of Tuesday February 17th, 2009 and all St. Maarten's residents that the Foundations have and will continue to be vigilant in their mission to have the entire Emilio Wilson Estate protected for future generations of residents and visitors to enjoy.
The Foundations commend both the Island and the Executive Council as well as supporting department staff on taking the necessary measures to secure the protection of the entire Emilio Wilson Estate and encourages government to continue providing for the protection of what will soon be St. Maarten's first National Park.
