St. Maarten Private Eye

Response to De Telegraaf article on Emilio Wilson Estate.

Last weekend an article about the EWE saga was published in the Dutch Newspaper/Tabloid - De Telegraaf, here is the English translated version.

Did De Telegraaf really pay for him to take this trip and write this poor excuse for an investigative story? Or did the BV? Just askin!

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Charlie Sanders starts his article with a claim that the Dutch Investors, Rien Chabot and Frans Mauriks, are the victims of gossip and half truths, that they are having trouble getting the permits to carry out their project because they haven't paid off the right people. It is implied all through his article that the reason this project has not gone ahead is because of an Anti Dutch campaign. He does this by casting Jadira and the island government in a poor light and making the BV shine. This is why we ask who paid for his trip.

We like his paragraph about Westin by the way.....

But from there he just rolls downhill, rapidly gaining speed till he runs right into the gutter. He say's no one cares about the environment and then proceeds to attack those that do.

Rien Chabot and Frans Mauriks may claim to want to build 'local housing' but that is totally besides the point, because the people who want the land preserved as a natural and historic park for the people and future generations of the island really couldn't care less. Building on the land is not negotiable, for whatever purpose.

Charlie's article specifically mentions Jadira Veen, the rumored 'Femme Fatale' of the island, does he understand the words?

literally "fatal/deadly woman"; an attractive woman who seduces and takes advantage of men in order to achieve personal goals after which she discards of or abandons the victim. Used to describe an attractive woman with whom a relationship is likely to result, or has already resulted, in pain and sorrow

DId he just use it because he found Jadira attractive? Hmmm... you have to wonder. it's quite telling about him, casting around words like that with no backup infomration supporting it. I've been told Chalie himself is an idiot, his article is my evidence.

As she say's though, it's all here on this site for anyone to see, all the newspaper clippings, all the documents we have obtained and photos. You make up your own mind.

Charlie convieniently does not mention the other foundations that opposed the development of the estate. These are The St. Maarten Nature Foundation, The St Maarten Heritage Foundation, The St. Maarten Monument Foundation, The St. Maarten Nation Foundation, The EWE Park Foundation and The EWE Estate Foundation. Hopefully we haven't missed out any foundations, there were 9 official objection letters in total. Let's also remind Mr Charlie Sanders about the local students who on their own initiative carried out their own protests, there were also numerous letters from individuals who opposed the plans. They are all in the Emilio Wilson Thread for your reading pleasure.

So, Charlie neglects to mention that the effort to save the estate from development was a very wide community effort and instead singles out and targets Jadira and Andre Patrick, repeating unsubstaniatied assertions that the later forced Emilio to donate part of the land for the park. In fact there were many people approaching Emilio about the park land, including several politicians. If Charlie had done any real investigating then he would have discovered this.

But those are facts and they do not support the impression that Charlie wants to give. He wants his readers to believe there is a 'witch hunt' and that it's all an anti Dutch thing because they haven't paid off the right people.

What happened is this........

Henri approached the BV with the land deal, whilst he was in the position of Minister for St. Maarten, something that many would consider an abuse of office in order to enrich himself. Please go and read the contract Henri made with the BV which shows this clearly, the contract which means nothing according to Charlie.

Henri's deal centered on him getting the permits from the ExCo of the island, an ExCo that put him where he was and which he has been a long time supporter and member, the DP Party. His approach to the ExCo about the project received an enthusiastic response, perhaps because in the 'deal' the Government would not only get the land for a new road they want to build, (Link 7) but also a new house for the Governor. Lt. Governor Richards apparently picked out a plot up near the top with a good view, personally.

Andre Patrick assisted in the land research for the project because that is his job. It was not until the project officially became public on the 1st of September 2005 that anyone else knew about it and started to organise to oppose it.

It is also questionable how Charlie readily gives Patricks name as a source for Henri's Contract when he alludes all his other insinuations and falsehoods to unnamed sources. For example let's talk about the 'Archeological Report' prepared by Jay Haviser. Would you mind telling us who these independant archeologists are? Or won't they put their name to their opinions. I think they are mythical myself, when you come up with some names who are willing to back up what you say then maybe we will believe you. There are a few 'scientists' and 'researchers' who dispute Global Warming, but most of them are paid off by big oil. You can always find one if you want to and if you have the cash.

We actually have a copy of this report and it is far more than 78 pages about an old bottle and some bones. The only reason it is not on SXM PE is because Roy Marlin has held it back from the public, he claims it is part of the government's case against the BV. Charlie's article makes this argument irrelevant now because the BV obviously have a copy. We believe the Foundations should press Marlin again for it's release, there is no reason to hide or hold back the people's history and heritage on reasons that have no merit at all. (We are considering to publish it ourselves, even if he doesn't.)

This report clearly shows that the property was the site of active plantations since the late 1700's, perhaps earlier. In 1832 the records show that Golden Rock had 51 slaves and a village of 24 slave huts, in 1845 it was 52 slaves and in 1849 it had dropped to 9, explained by the abolition of slavery on the French side. The Dutch hung onto to it longer, to their shame, so all the slaves ran off over to the other side.

In regards to graves, this was harder to determine because in the 1960's many stones which may have been grave markers were removed for building purposes, however recorded records of the slaves, including their names imply that there are many. A National Hero, One Tete Lokay is named in one of these records.

The report makes interesting reading, there is plenty to support the conclusion of it which is that the property should be preserved. It does also mention the Link 7 roadway which is also disputed by many organisations as other possiblities exist such as the Marigot Hill Road and another road leading out of Ebenezer over to Union Farm and Dutch Quarter. But thats another fight entirely after this one is won and Henri Brookson is sent packing. We are sorry for the BV for hooking up with 'Mr. Wannabe Millionaire" but thats how it goes, its nothing personal and it is certainly nothing against the Dutch.

Charlie is right about one thing and that is the disgraceful and incompetant manner in which the ExCo and Roy Marlin have dealt with this issue and many others that come across their desks regarding development. They were pushed into a corner by public opinion which forced the Island Council to a vote to find a way to purchase and preserve it.

It is important to note that the opposition presented the motion first but the DP presented their own, much the same but with the words changed to 'investigate' finding a way to do so. They were also under pressure from one of their members who does deserve the publics thanks, Maria Buncamper Molanus.

The Exco then announced it was setting up a three man committee to do the 'investigating' and come back within 60 days with a report. They also promised to work with the newely formed EWE Foundation. The report never appeared, the three man committee became a two man committee (still no report) and since that time, Government has yet to reply to a request from the EWEF to meet and work with the EWEF.

Henri Brookson was informed by the EWE on their goals, they even wrote to him asking abour a rumored private meeting that went on at Antillen Huis between the BV and Government officials in late October 2005. They even wrote to Mr Paul Comenensia about it who sent back this reply. Henri had apparently refused to answer Paul's questions directly and refered him to Lt. Governor Richards. He was no help at all, passing on the same advice to the EWEF.

Several attempts have been made by the EWEF to get a meeting with Government but it has not happened. It is a clear fact that Roy Marlin really does talk what those red trucks pump, he said he would work with them but he doesn't. You can find a dozen examples in the archives of him saying something similar which ends up being full of shit.

Roy Marlin HATES the environmental groups on the island, he excludes them from meetings with developers, they have to fight for every tiny scrap of information even to the point of having to go to court for documents that should be made available under the LOB laws. Their advice is ignored, their opinions are not sought and Roy Marlin operates a rubber stamp policy for developments. The only reason EWE BV got stopped is because of it's historical and cultural value that has been recognised by the people of the island.

And let us add, this is not only about the historical value, it has environmental value too, and not just in the way of greenery in a valley choked with housing and development.

Last year 2 people died in flash flooding and many suffered material loses, this year in September we had another close call with more flash flooding. Any engineer, or person with a brain, will tell you that this is a result of poor planning and over development.

The fight to save EWE as a National Park is not just about it being historical.

I'm starting to lag here because just as it is difficult to have an intelligent discussion with a drunk, it is also difficult to respond to an article by a fucking retard. Is that too strong? We really can't think of any more suitable. Either that or just a lousy reporter who is nieve and being manipulated, or paid off.

I really do have better things to do.

Everything we have about EWE is in the EWE Thread. You are all welcome to go read and decide for yourself.

Local Hero

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