SXMElections.com

Dear Editor,

A number of people have called me over the past two days to express their frustration regarding the most recent turn of events in what some are now calling the Emilio Wilson Estate Saga.

The news as featured in the local media announcing that Rain Forest Adventures (RFA) has obtained or will soon obtain the long lease to Emilio Wilson Estate is of course extremely worrisome. The Honourable Prime Minister Gumbs' (a gentleman I hold in high regard) statement in the media yesterday that "no long-lease has been granted to Rain Forest Adventures" and that he has "not signed anything for or granted anything" does nothing to decrease my concerns. Fact is that those who appointed the Prime Minister have been relentless in their efforts to see to it that Rain Forest Adventures gets the go-ahead to do as the company pleases at Emilio Wilson Estate.

Please allow me to make it abundantly clear that my position regarding Emilio Wilson Estate is the same as it always has been. Emilio Wilson Estate is of invaluable natural, cultural, historical and social significance; it is the people's patrimony and the entire Estate must be established as Sint Maarten's first land-based National Park and Protected Area!

Allow me to reiterate the fact that, contrary to what some politicians would like everyone to believe, it has never been the Foundations' nor my desire to have a large fence erected around the Estate, call it a protected area and keep people out of it. Emilio Wilson Estate can and must be a place where residents and visitors alike can go to learn about Sint Maarten's rich cultural and natural heritage, to learn about our ancestor's tribulations and triumphs and to just enjoy being surrounded by nature.

There is of course a necessity for a limited number of facilities, such as a visitor centre, an environmental education centre, a museum and an area for refreshments. Countries all across the Caribbean and around the world have established locally operated and managed National Parks/Protected Areas, so why are our decision makers so eager to believe that we cannot do the same in Sint Maarten?

Since 2005, successive governments have publicly committed to establishing Emilio Wilson Estate as a protected area for the people of Sint Maarten. Many of our Parliamentarians, across the party lines, have voted in favour of a number of motions aimed at protecting Emilio Wilson Estate. During these past parliamentary elections the future of Emilio Wilson Estate was also often discussed. Where are these Members of Parliament now? Have they changed their minds or will they stand in solidarity with Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation in efforts to protect our National Heritage?

There are some questions which repeatedly come to mind with regards to the Emilio Wilson Estate affair; Why is it that while economically-viable National Parks have been established all over the world, some of our decision makers, particularly those of the governing coalition have no faith in St. Maarten and the island's organizations' capacity to manage a National Park of our own?

To what extent are Rain Forest Adventures, Carnival Cruise Lines and Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) "influencing" decision makers to hand over the people's patrimony?

Why is the governing coalition so eager to peddle-off Sint Maarten's heritage to a company, whose track record on other Caribbean islands is dubious at best? Does the fact that RFA left Dominica in a hurry, leaving dozens of people unemployed, not concern our decision makers? Are our decision makers not aware of the fact that repeated accusations have been made regarding the non-payment of employees of RFA facilities on other islands? What is causing decision makers to turn a blind eye?

Why is it that while at the beginning of his term, now former Minister Maurice Lake was so reluctant to finalize the purchase of Emilio Wilson Estate, as initiated by former Minister William Marlin, his willingness to finalize matters completely turned around as the end of his term grew nearer?

Have the governing coalition and former ministers made agreements with Rain Forest Adventures regarding which companies, families will carry out construction activities, hold concessions or provide transport to and from Emilio Wilson Estate, should Rain Forest Adventures project be allowed to continue?

Perhaps these questions warrant some investigation. The fact that the Gumbs cabinet has already met with Rain Forest Adventures less than a full month into the cabinet's term, but has made no effort to consult with local natural and cultural heritage organizations, which have been involved in the matter for years, speaks volumes and is rather disappointing.

I do HOPE that those Members of Parliament, who claim to have Sint Maarten's Natural and Cultural Heritage at heart, will make an effort to shed some light on the aforementioned.

Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/emiliowilsonestate to keep informed about efforts to protect the entire Emilio Wilson Estate.

Rueben J. Thompson

Environmentalist