Laveist against any commercial
development of Wilson estate
PHILIPSBURG--Cultural Affairs Commissioner Louie Laveist said under no circumstances would he support any commercial development of Emilio Wilson estate.
“It is a ‘no’ and my position is irreversible,” Laveist said Sunday, breaking his silence on the issue.
The commissioner said the only types of development he plans to back are those preserving the island’s cultural and historical heritage.
He also announced that he will be making a proposal at Tuesday’s Island Council meeting that the Island Government “by all means necessary” does whatever it takes to purchase the Estate and use it for cultural purposes.
The Island Government has until this Friday, July 13, to justify its refusal of a planning permit to Emilio Wilson Estate B.V., a Dutch firm interested in building houses on the estate.
The Emilio Wilson Estate Management and Conservation Foundation (EWEF), last Friday urged government to reaffirm its refusal of a planning permit in no uncertain terms to the Dutch firm interested before the deadline, to avoid a further drawn out court battle.
The Dutch company took government to court almost two years ago for fictitious denial of its planning permit after the Executive Council had failed to render a decision on its application within the six weeks stipulated by law. A group of concerned foundations, including EWEF, are involved in a court case as interested parties.
After the court case had been filed and a government commissioned archaeological survey of the estate had been carried out by Dr. Jay Haviser, the Executive Council formally denied the planning permit. The reasons for this were that the survey had concluded that the estate was of great archaeological and heritage value to the island and a clear line of ownership could not be determined.
“Considering what I stand for as Commissioner of Culture, who supports the strengthening and preservation of culture and history, I won’t support the economic development of Emilio Wilson Park,” Laveist said Sunday.
“My opinion is that this property should be preserved for what it is - the people’s patrimony. It represents the history of the people of St. Maarten and it can’t be destroyed. Something has to be left for our children and our children’s children.”
The Commissioner said no one should attempt to approach his office to support any economic development of the area, since it’s a “no, no.”
He said there was need for legislation to preserve the island’s history and culture. He alluded to a meeting held recently by “a team of experts” to discuss the issue of developers’ safeguarding and preserving any historical and cultural aspects of the island associated with any property they would like to develop.
He said too that there were many cultural projects in the pipeline that were scheduled to be executed soon.
One such project that is already underway is the school identification project, where schools will be furnished with statues and plaques explaining the history behind the naming of the school. Another project is the heroes’ project, in keeping with which busts of local heroes will be mounted.
The Island Council’s recess will be interrupted for a meeting on Tuesday to handle the matter. The meeting, requested by the National Alliance, was called after the EWEF had called on the island government to make a decision soon. The meeting is set for 10:00am in the Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall.
