Philipsburg:--- The owner of the homes in Fort Willem Sebastien Mina (Frenchie) who is currently residing in Marie Gallante, Guadeloupe confirmed to SMN News on Monday during a telephone interview that he gave court marshal Solange Apon written authorization to evict and sell the homes he owns in Fort Willem.
Mina confirmed that he cannot read and write but he said he was on St. Maarten in 2011 when Ms. Apon's father died and he gave her authorization to do what has to be done so that he can get back some of his investments. Mina's sister Charlesia Acncelade also confirmed that she and her brother authorized Solange Apon to take the necessary actions because her brother will not return to St. Maarten to live anymore.
Acncelade said that for years they had no contact with her brother because he was not in touch with his relatives. She said when her brother first came to live in St. Maarten he went back a few times to Guadeloupe and then he disappeared and none of his relatives knew where he was. "When we could not find him we thought he died in St. Maarten." Acncelade further explained that Mina has son who lives in Miami, Florida and he is the one that came to St. Maarten in search of his father. Acncelade said when her nephew found her brother he was in a deplorable condition. "My brother was sick, he had no food, no medication and while the Brooks families were living in his houses they were not taking care of him. We had to buy a ticket and take him to Guadeloupe and I am the one that took care of his documents so that he could have obtained medical coverage from the French Government. My brother is not coming back to St. Maarten to live and the last time he visited St. Maarten he met a number of people in his homes and they were not taking care of the properties. Ever since my brother came back to Guadeloupe he is living with me." Acncelade said that her brother was raised by the owner of the front house that was given to Monica Apon Watkins and her brother knew Monica and her children ever since they were small.
"The old lady gave Solange's mother the front house but my brother built the other houses at the back and while the land might have been government lease land my brother paid all his taxes while he was on St. Maarten." Acncelade said they have proof that the houses belong to her brother and the arrangement they have with Solange Apon is for her to sell the properties and when it is sold then she (Solange Apon) would send her brother's share for him. Acncelade said that her brother never married to the late Mrs. Brooks and while he was living with her she did not have all her children living with them.
SMN News learnt that Mina and the entire Brooks families are alcoholics and they lived a very carefree life since they were not paying bills.
In an invited comment, Solange Apon said that she and her brother are the heirs of the house her mother inherited and when the property is sold the monies will be divided among the three parties. Apon said they wanted to sell their shares to Mina and when he said he could not purchase their home they began sending letters to the Brooks family informing them that they wanted to sell the properties. Apon said that her lawyer started to send letters to the Brooks since the beginning of 2011 and they went to court in September 2011. The decision was given in October 2011 and it clearly states that the occupants of the homes had to move by December 2011. Apon said that they extended the time to February 2012 and the Brooks made no effort to leave the place.
"Despite all of this, the Brooks did not vacate the property and they were also given the first option to purchase the properties. Apon said when she sent the adjuster to appraise the properties the Brooks family prevented him from entering the property. Apon said she had no intention of putting the Brooks family on the street especially knowing that they have children. She also clarified on Monday afternoon that there were not 25 people living in the houses. Apon said that neighbors in the area were constantly complaining about the Brooks and their behavior in the neighborhood.
SMN News also learnt that one of the women living in the house is living a despicable life because she has two children that were born at home and their births were never registered.
SMN News also learnt that one of the Brooks sisters was living in one of the social homes provided by St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation and she was evicted from the property by the UP/DP government for non-payment of rent.
Government only paid two nights hotel stay for Brooks Family --- Family went back to Fort Willem Homes.
The Brooks family contacted SMN News Monday evening and stated that the Government of St. Maarten only paid for two nights at Bute's Hotel for them and the owner of the hotel informed them that they had to find somewhere to go Monday afternoon if they are not able to pay for their accommodation. One of the women told SMN News that they cannot afford to pay for the hotel, therefore they are returning to the houses in Fort Willem.
Up to late Monday afternoon the staff and Minister of VROMI Deputy Prime Minister William Marlin was trying to find alternative accommodations for the Brooks family, especially since there were a number of young children involved. SMN News learnt that the staff of the Deputy Prime Minister's office contacted several churches on the island to request assistance in the form of food stuff, pampers, and other items for the families.