St. Maarten Private Eye

Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation
Camel Road 33
Belair Hill
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Netherlands Antilles
Tel: (599) 5231188
Fax: (599) 542-0268

November 12th 2005

Mr. Henri Brookson
Plaats vervangende Gevolmachtigde Minister
van de Nederlandse Antillen
Postbus 90706
2509 LS ’s-Gravenhage
Nederland

Re: The Emilio Wilson Estate, St. Maarten Netherlands Antilles

Dear Mr. Henri Brookson,

It is now common knowledge that you; Mr. Henri Brookson (Acting Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles in The Hague), Mr. Frans Mauriks as well as some other gentlemen have taken up an interest in developing the Emilio Wilson Estate for residential purposes and that you have established the Emilio Wilson Estate B.V. in the Netherlands for this reason. The planning permit request filed at the VROM department, by your on-island representative Mr. Alain Deleu, on behalf of the Emilio Wilson Estate B.V. has been well covered by the local media.

The news of these proposed plans and your prominent involvement in them has been met with great concern and disappointment by many Sint Maarteners. Many of whom are of the opinion that these activities you have undertaken constitute improper representation of Sint Maarten’s best interests in the Netherlands. News of a meeting between the Emilio Wilson Estate B.V. and Government officials from Sint Maarten held at the Antillen Huis in The Hague, 3 weeks ago has only added to the abovementioned concerns. The people of Sint Maarten would really like to know what was discussed at this meeting, why it was held at the Antillen Huis and why this information was not made public. A representative of the Netherlands Antilles should be working to protect the islands’ heritage rather than being involved in plans to completely devastate historically and ecologically valuable areas.

As you know the Emilio Wilson Estate is an area of great Cultural, Historical as well as Natural value. The Estate consists of two former plantations namely: Industry and Golden Rock Plantation. The area of Golden Rock known as Rockland, is the location of John Philips’ residence who was Governor of Sint Maarten from 1734-1746. The plantation is the last one of its kind on Dutch St Maarten that has remained relatively intact and untouched since the abolition of slavery. The hillside area, where most of the development is planned, is known as Kenepa Gardens and was the location of the field slave’s village. Many Slaves were born, worked, lived, and hundreds (possibly thousands) were buried there including the late Mr. Wilson’s Great Grandmother. The Kenepa Garden area is actually a Mass-Grave and should be protected as such. The Emilio Wilson Estate/ Sentry Hill also has a very high ecological value it is home to many species of Flora and (Avi-) Fauna some of which can no longer be found anywhere else on the island and are worth protecting. As you know Sint Maarten is the only island in the Netherlands Antilles that does not yet have a Nature Reserve. Keeping in mind that large continuous Nature Reserves are internationally aimed for, it must be noted that The Emilio Wilson Estate area is the second largest area available for possible use as a continuous Nature Reserve in St. Maarten.

A group of concerned citizens, including the undersigned, has recently formed a Foundation to stop the plans for the development of the area from being executed. The mission statement of the Foundation for the Management and Conservation of the Emilio Wilson Estate (Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation) reads as follows:

The protection, conservation and preservation of the entire Emilio Wilson Estate and all associated man made as well as natural monuments in order to maintain the integrity of Sint Maarten’s history, culture and natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation’s main goal is to obtain the entire estate property and to establish it as a Natural, Cultural and Historical Park for the benefit of present and future generations. (Please find the Foundation’s overall goals included as an attachment). The Foundation therefore does not in anyway approve of, or support the proposed development plan submitted by the Emilio Wilson Estate B.V. and will not support any future development plan for the Emilio Wilson Estate area.

The Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation has made initial contact with several International Funding Agencies concerning the Estate. These agencies have expressed an interest in the Foundation’s plans and the Foundation is currently having discussions with them on this matter.

The Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation, along with the Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten and many other organizations, will continue their efforts to have the entire 198 acres of the Estate protected and established as a Natural, Cultural and Historical Park for current and future generations to enjoy.

Sincerely,

Jadira Veen George Aurelius Scot
President Board member
Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation
Cc: Minister for Kingdom Relations Mr. A. Pechtold,
` Governor of the Netherlands Antilles Mr. F. Goedgedrag,
Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles Mr. P. Comenencia,
Lt. Governor of the Island Territory of Sint Maarten Mr. F. Richards,
The Daily Herald of Sint Maarten, Today Newspaper of Sint Maarten, Amigoe, Het NRC Handelsblad

add new comment