St. Maarten Private Eye

On the 31st of December it was reported that Emilio Wilson Estate BV, the company seeking to develop the estate, had filed an appeal against government based on what it calls “fictitious denial” of its request for a planning permit. Was the Island Council Motion supporting preserving the estate insincere?
What do you think? Vote in the Poll at the end of the story!

Read more below
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Now, lets refresh ourselves a little first.

The person who originally started ringing the alarm bell over the pending sale and development of the EWE was Hin Ling Soon in a Blog Post here on SXM PE, 4th September 2005. Two days later it was reported in the local press that persons were mobilizing to defend the estate.

The rumble of discontent within the community, particularly the local voting population, had government on the defensive. First Roy tried to calm things down by asking that people not become an emotional one and that those concerned should just follow the process, the same process that worked so well for Dawn Beach and Cupecoy.

The rumble failed to die down and actually became louder. Revelations and rumors concerning the governments position and relationship with the developers ended with the Island Council Motion of the 20th September, which was first presented by the 5 opposition members, modified by the 6 DP members and presented back to the council as thier own. Naturally it passed.

It is my understanding that the wording was adjusted to be less committal, to "investigate" possibilities to preserve the estate. The Exco would report back within 60 days and would set up a three man committee to do the "investigating". Roy Marlin claimed government would be willing to work with the EWE Foundation recently created for this purpose.

That was back on the 7th October.

Since then the EWE Foundation sent a letter to Henri Brookson requesting information about his involvement with the developers. Questions were also asked about a rumored meeting between Theo and perhaps Franklin Richards at the Antillian Haus in Holland towards the end of October.

On the 1st of November the EWE Foundation sent a letter to the Exco requesting a meeting with the "investigating" committee about the estate. The 60 days passed, no report was given and as far as this author is aware at this time, no reply to the Foundation's letter has been received.

A reply was received from the Antillian Plenipoteniary, Henry Brookson's boss, which told the EWE they should direct their questions to the Lt. Governor and members of the Exco. It's interesting to note that Henri Brookson "chose not to answer questions" and referred him to the island government of St. Maarten.

Anyway, here we are now, on the 31st of December with the developers taking government to court because no reply has yet been given on the permit request.

There is far more to the story and you can go read much more in the Emilio Wilson Estate Thread. What I want to know is what you, the readers, think is going on.

Do you think the government was sincere in claiming to want to preserve the Estate?
Please go Vote in the poll and let us know. Or feel free to add your thoughts and comments below.

Dr. Voodoo

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