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search Bob Hildreth Making A Difference - Weekend News June 28th. 2009
Big Game Asset Hunters In Two Dimensional Jungle?
Business Week is running an article about the Sun Village issue. Unfortunately, this appears to purport that there are only two sets of players: the accused and the investors represented by the lawyer who is the centrepiece of the article. In actual fact the scenario is far more complex than this and the lawyer in question would appear to be representing some of the vendors employed by the accused to sell their product plus some of the investors, but not all of the investors. For the full story of who represents whom and where the litigation is at, please click on the fourth link. The article starts 'Here in Puerto Plata, on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, world-class opulence and wretched poverty are neighbors. Barefoot children mill among the shanties that dot the inland hills, while down on the coast, Americans enjoy Lobster Thermidor and candied papayas at lush resorts. Miami is just 90 minutes away by plane, New York a tad over three hours. The proximity to the U.S. has been convenient for Michael Diaz Jr., a Miami lawyer whose team of investigators has been making frequent trips to this 517-year-old former Spanish slave colony. Diaz is representing U.S. investors who say they were burned in a $170 million Ponzi scheme. The plaintiffs allege that a pair of Canadian real estate developers, Frederick C. Elliott and his son, Derek, used their money to pay back earlier investors in a Puerto Plata resort and to fund shopping sprees and vanity projects. The investors are suing to get their hands on the Elliotts' assets. Meantime, the Securities & Exchange Commission is looking into the Elliotts' dealings, according to people familiar with the matter, though no criminal charges have been filed. The Elliotts declined to comment.' The article continues at the first link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_27/b4138038179277.htm http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20090626/bs_bw/0927b4138038179277 Asking 15 Years For Child Molester
Prosecutors are seeking a 15 year sentence of imprisonment for Oliver Martin Charman charged with sexual assault of minors in the Playa Oeste area of Puerto Plata. Charman, a British resident of Puerto Plata, was arrested last August when he was alleged to have molested children, sold pornographic material via the internet and procured children for pederast tourists. The background appears at the second link. http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/06/piden-15-anos-de-prision-para-violar.html Real Story Of The Fire Truck?
'Ask William Walker III why he’s visited the Dominican Republic beach town of Sosúa dozens of times in the past few years, and this is what he’ll tell you: “What I fell in love with is the peace and serenity of the ocean,” he says. “Being able to swim and fish. Wasn’t a lot of bureaucracy.” Maybe not down there. But Walker’s trips to Sosúa have sure caused a bureaucratic extravaganza around these parts. The 51-year-old Upper Marlboro resident says he set events into motion that nearly led to the city giveaway of a surplus fire truck and ambulance to the Dominican town. Those shadowy events have since prompted a cursory non-investigation by Attorney General Peter J. Nickles and more thoroughgoing probes by Inspector General Charles J. Willoughby, the D.C. Council, and local reporters. Walker is scheduled to appear Thursday at a hearing held jointly by Ward 3 Councilmember Mary M. Cheh and At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson on why, exactly, usable city emergency equipment was almost shipped to Sosúa with no official explanation save for a cryptic line printed in the March 20 D.C. Register—“the Chief Procurement Officer or his designee may donate surplus supplies to Peaceaholics Inc., a nonprofit organization.” At the hearing, Walker says, he plans to tell his story.' The story continues: Fire At Cabarete Laguna
Shortly after the Minister of the Environment's visit to Cabarete last weekend, unknown assailants set fire to some 200 tareas of surrounding land. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2347&start=1 Four Times The Cost Of Dead Cow Land For Charity
Readers who have been following the story of the land near Puerto Plata airport sold for the 'price of a dead cow' will be interested to learn that the Rotary Club of Sosua was also sold land in the vicinity, in order to build a Rehabilitation Centre. They were told the price they paid was 'symbolic' because this was a charity seeking to build a medical facility for the poor. Now they discover that their price was four times the amount paid by the group of Santiago businessmen for a commercial, not a charitable, venture! LifeStyle Holidays Cofresi New Villas And Suites
'Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club (LHVC), located in Puerto Plata on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, has announced a September 2009 opening date for its new state-of-the-art member services building, The Tower, and an anticipated opening date of late 2010 for The Contemporary Suites and Villas, featuring 55 two-bedroom suites and 24 three-bedroom villas. The Tower will include VIP and member services offices and two floors of presentation facilities. The top floor of this four story structure will have a high-tech, modern lounge and restaurant called DIVAS, exclusively for LHVC’s VIP members, while the roof will be the new landing pad for the LHVC helicopter which transports VIP members.' The press release continues here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lifestyle-Holidays-Vacation-bw-4220000942.html?x=0&.v=1 It Was Norwalk
After the exposure in the UK and Dominican press following the payout to the Bahia Principe San Juan guests, the hotel is at pains to point out that the Public Health Ministry investigation clarified that the problem was not contaminated hotel food, but the Norwalk virus brought to the hotel by one of the guests. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2361&start=1 Obituary
'David B. Rosenberg, DDS, Glen Cove High School Class of 1974, and his wife Jean Rosenberg, died on June 11, 2009 while cascading the waterfalls of the Damajagua River in the Dominican Republic. They were both 52 years old. David was the son of Paul Rosenberg, DDS, and Barbara Rosenberg. Barbara is a retired physical education teacher for many years of the Glen Cove School District.' This obituary for the couple who died at Damajagua continues here: http://www.antonnews.com/glencoverecordpilot/obits/1253-obituary-david-b-rosenberg-dds.html Don't Ask For Juice On Edelweiss Air
Some 32 kilos of cocaine was found hidden in 42 juice cartons stored in the refrigerator on board an Edelweiss aircraft at Punta Cana airport, which was due to fly to Switzerland. As the Edelweiss website at the second link advertises 'Edelweiss Air's little extras for you'! Selling The Results
Schoolchildren undertaking the recent 'pruebas nacionales' (national tests) were apparently offered a 'service' by an alleged tecnico at the Ministry of Education. For a fee he contracted to text his 'clients' the results shortly after the tests commenced. At least one student did pay the RD$15,000 and then sought to recruit other students to offset costs. One of those recruited was a reporter for Clave Digital who confirmed that he duly received a text with the results. http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Noticias/Noticias.aspx?id_Articulo=24721 Narco Accuses SFM DNCD Chief
A known narcotrafficker in San Francisco de Macoris has identified the chief of the DNCD as being his boss. http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=18747 Dutch Scam Artists Arrested
'The Attorney General of the DR recovered €11 million of the more than €22 million that were swindled by a supposed international network composed of two Dutchmen who were arrested in Anacona, Santo Domingo, for having cheated 900 investors in the Netherlands and subsequently escaping to the Dominican Republic. The Dutch authorities gave notice to the Attorney General of the investment of €11 million in laundered money which enabled the authorities to act through the Anti-Laundering of Assets Unit. The money was invested in a series of companies and properties that the authorities are investigating, according to the director of the Anti-Laundering Unit, German Miranda Villalona. He said that the Dutchmen Gerd Pol and Nike Eddie were involved in the scheme, and they were arrested, operating a sort of marketing enterprise that was promoting a real estate boom and offering plans of projects that were never built.' The story continues in the English language version of Diario Libre. Clave Digital has the name of the Dutchman as Jear Ford; he has been deported back to the Netherlands whilst Nike Eddie has been released. DR authorities have started confiscating the possessions of the deported Dutchman, according to Clave Digital. According to El Nacional properties in Santiago and the east of DR have also been confiscated. http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=204721 http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=18790 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/2283/Default.aspx http://elnacional.com.do/nacional/2009/6/25/19640/Incautan-apartamentos-y-valiosas-obras-de-arte 8 Year For Brits Jailed In DR
Sentences of 8 years imprisonment have been passed on the British couple arrested last year in Punta Cana allegedly for attempting to transport cocaine out of the DR. It is likely that they will appeal. The female of the partnership has steadfastly maintained that she knew nothing about narcotics packed in suitcases. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article1775225.ece http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1772138.ece http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article1889037.ece
Panama Offers Asylum To Wanted Ex-Presidents
Human rights organisations are alleging that Panama has become a luxury asylum refuge for corrupt Latin American ex-presidents and other officials wanted in their own countries, according to a piece in Hoy. It would appear that Raúl Cedras of Haití, Jorge Serrano Elías of Guatemala and Abdalá Bucaram of Ecuador are longterm Panamanian residents. http://hoy.com.do/el-mundo/2009/6/21/282493/Panama-es-un-asilo-para-ex-presidentes-corruptos Boat Captain Gets 9 ½ Years
'The boat captain of a deadly migrant-smuggling venture from the Dominican Republic to South Florida has been sentenced to 9 ½ years in prison, federal authorities said. Crecencio Hernandez, 63, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch. He pleaded guilty in April to conspiring to smuggle a boatload of Dominicans and Brazilians into the United States, ending with the drowning deaths of six passengers. Hernandez had faced up to life imprisonment, but his guilty plea to the one conspiracy charge resulting in the deaths brought him a lesser sentence because he didn't personally profit from the illegal operation. Originally, he was also charged with causing the deaths, but that was later dropped. The ill-fated journey began on Oct. 24, 2008, when Hernandez captained a rustic freighter with about 40 passengers, setting sail from Puerto Plata on the north shore of the Dominican Republic.' The story continues in the Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1109373.html Jumping 4 Storeys To Avoid Arrest
'A man broke a leg and suffered facial injuries when he jumped out of the fourth floor of a building to avoid being arrested on drug charges in the Dominican Republic, an official said. David Ortiz Taveras sold drugs out of the building from where he jumped Saturday, drug enforcement agency spokesman Roberto Lebron said. He added that the suspect landed on the roof of a shack. The 23-year-old drug dealer lived on the third floor of the building and ran up to the roof when he saw drug enforcement agents arrive to search his apartment.' More here: Poaching In Bahamas
'As a result of information received from US law enforcement officials, a Dominican-registered vessel with 11 persons onboard was arrested for allegedly fishing in the territorial waters of The Bahamas by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. The 40-ft. foreign fishing vessel “Lancha Dana Laura” was apprehended on Saturday evening approximately 1 mile north west of Little Inagua, by Enduring Friendship 18 (EF18) and HMBS P-38, which are both stationed at HMBS Mathew Town Base in Inagua, after it was discovered to have a quantity of marine produce onboard.' Read on: http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/domrep/domrep.php?news_id=17269&start=0&category_id=18 Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 Brits Litigating Against Fire Ants In Playa Dorada - Weekend News June 21st. 2009
'A couple are suing a travel firm after sickness ruined their dream holiday. Ashley and Catherine Wilkinson, from Anchorsholme, booked the luxury trip to the Dominican Republic to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in January but fell ill just days into the getaway. Mr Wilkinson, 43, was so ill a doctor had to give him an antibiotic injection. The pair, who suffered the after-effects for several weeks after flying home, have instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell to sue holiday company First Choice after their disastrous stay at the Fun Royale Hotel. Mr Wilkinson said: "It was a total nightmare, people talk about holidays from hell - well, this was it. I fell ill within two days of being there after I was bitten by fire ants on my legs, ankles and arms.' The story, which appears to be a serious one, continues in the Blackpool Gazette. After First Choice have waved their collective magic wands and eliminated all fire ants from Playa Dorada, perhaps they could turn their attention to other indigenous creatures, like mosquitoes and flies? Meanwhile an unrelated story at the BBC reports that 14 Brits who defrauded Thomas Cook, have been arrested. (Photgraph courtesy of Blackpool Gazette).
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Fylde-couple-sue-over-holiday.5368886.jp Second Freezing Order Against Elliotts
'Hundreds of international investors in a Dominican Republic real estate scheme recently won a major legal victory in their struggle to recover funds from father-son developers Frederick and Derek Elliott. On June 1, the Judge of the Civil and Commercial Chamber of the Justice of the First Instance of El Seybo issued a temporary restraining order against the Elliotts, freezing up to US$63,758,021.57 of their assets, including bank accounts and real estate in the Dominican Republic. The ruling supported the claims of the Hofmann Plaintiff Group, which is represented in the DR by Rodolfo A. Mesa Beltre of Mesa & Mesa Abogados, Santo Domingo, and in the United States by Hilda Piloto, Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Miami.' More here: Murder In Costambar
Rudolf Dette, 69, a retired military officer from Germany, was found stabbed to death in his home in Costambar last Tuesday. Mr. Dette had lived in Costambar for a number of years. Several people, including a woman, have been detained. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2316&start=1 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/2192/Default.aspx http://listin.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=104993 Damajagua Reopens
The funeral of David and Jean Rosenberg took place in Florida last Thursday following their death by drowning at Damajagua Falls. The Falls reopened on Friday after an investigation on Tuesday by the local SubSecretaries of Environment and Tourism. It would appear that further safety measures required at the Falls have been identified. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2316&start=1 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/2193/Default.aspx http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/06/sera-el-viernes-reapertura-balneario-la.html Sosua Public Hospital Land Sold!
It would appear that the land referred to in last week's news as being sold 'for the price of a dead cow' to a group of Santiago businessmen was that gifted by Banco Central to Sosua Ayuntamiento for building a public hospital. If this is the case, where is the outrage? http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2305&start=1 Stem Cell Treatment In Sosua
Sosua Bay and Victoria Hotels in Sosua will be providing a medical treatment centre which offers stem cell treatments, among others. The plan is to activate what is known as medical tourism. No details offered as to when. Community Action To Save Bahia Principe
Municipal authorities and community groups in Gaspar Hernandez and Rio San Juan announced plans to donate resources to repair the road leading to Bahia Principe Hotel. According to Puerto Plata Habla, tour operators are not sending guests to the hotel because of the state of the access road and this could result in the hotel closing. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2338&start=1 Los Haitises Cessation Of Work
On Friday Judge Sarah Enríquez Marín ordered the cessation of cement factory work at Los Haitises pending the investigation of how much damage the factory was likely to cause. Community groups now have 30 days in which to lodge a request for the revocation of the licence to the Consortium issued by the Ministry of the Environment. The Court ruling can be found at the fifth link. Community groups will spend the weekend planning future strategy and are meeting on Saturday at the Asociacion de Ganaderos in Monte Plata; all likeminded people are invited. Meanwhile the President has invited members of the media to a lunch discussion next Tuesday, chaired by the Secretary to the Presidency and the Secretary of the Environment. http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=18722 http://listin.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=105247 http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=156927 http://editor.clavedigital.com/ktmllite/files/uploads/Medio%20Ambiente/Fallo%20cementera_190609.doc http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=18732 http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=18730 http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=18732 http://www.imagenesdominicanas.com/2009/06/celebran-con-atabales-paralizacion-de.html BanReservas Puerto Plata Remodelled
The Banco Reservas building in Puerto Plata which suffered extensive damages in the 2003 earthquake, has been bought and remodelled by a group of foreign investors. It is thought that they are establishing a kitchen building business. No Alcohol For Under 18s
Hotel Grand Paradise in Playa Dorada is prohibiting the serving of alcohol to under 18 year olds. Guests under 18 will be given different coloured plastic wristbands so that bartenders know their age. http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/06/no-bebidas-alcoholicas-menores-en-un.html http://www.imagenesdominicanas.com/2009/06/no-bebidas-alcoholicas-menores-en.html New Shipwreck Found At Silver Banks
'Marine Exploration, Inc. announces Burt D. Webber, Jr. of joint venture partner Hispaniola Ventures, LLC has located a previously undiscovered shipwreck on the North West Reef of the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic. Funded by Marine Exploration, Inc., Mr. Webber has returned to the Silver Bank after thirty years with new historic research, and new underwater technological developments in the field of remote sensing survey and salvage. This latest shipwreck was found within the first twenty days of surveying the reef. The artifacts recovered during the proofing excavations have proved to date the ship between 1725 and 1745. The nationality is believed to be British. All artifacts were inventoried and turned over to the Dominican Republic Sub-Aquatic Office in Santo Domingo.' The press release continues at the first link. At the second link is a warning for investors to closely monitor trading activity; shares closed up 76%: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Marine-Exploration-Incs-Joint-bw-15522026.html?.v=1 http://finance.yahoo.com/news/FiSpaceNet-Releases-Tuesday-prnews-15533826.html?.v=1 Two Die In Cocaine Fire
'Dominican authorities say two suspected drug dealers have died of smoke inhalation after trying to burn cocaine before police could find it. The spokesman of the National Drug Control agency says that Mauricio Encarnacion Castillo and Ramon Antonio del Rosario set the evidence on fire after exchanging gunfire with police conducting a raid.' Read on: Mob Tries To Lynch 'Honest' Thief
'A mob tried to lynch a 14-year-old boy who was returning a cell phone Monday that he had stolen from a student minutes earlier in Santiago, a city in the northern Dominican Republic, police said. The teenager said the mob grabbed, beat and stabbed him, but National Police officers arrived as people were trying to lynch the boy. The boy, whose name is not being released because he is a minor, told police he stole the cell phone belonging to Alexandra Emilia Martinez, 18, but decided to return it after learning at the local market that the device was "not worth anything." ' More here: Citizens Could Sue Officials
'The National Revisory Assembly in charge of the Constitutional reform has included a procedure for replacing the vice president of the Republic in the event of permanent absence, and a provision for citizens to sue officials who engage in "illegal actions" in the exercise of their duties, using procedures determined by law....Article 117 states that "the Tribunals will control the legality of the conduct of the Public Administration, and citizens will have the right to demand this control according to procedures set out by law". In addition, they approved article 124 establishing that "the State and the official will be responsible, jointly and with loyalty, for the damage and harm done to the public by an illegal act by the Public Administration in keeping with the methods and stipulations outlined by law' Read on: Canadian Partnership For Disabled Children
'More than 400 children with disabilities living in poor barrios surrounding Santiago, Dominican Republic (D.R.), will receive vital rehabilitation services for the next three years thanks to a new $646,000 partnership between International Child Care (ICC) Canada, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). ICC Canada, a faith-based NGO, that works in Haiti and the D.R., has received the grant for its innovative community-based rehabilitation program (CBR) in the D.R. "Disability is a major social and public health concern in the D.R.," said Peter Montgomery, ICC Canada's National Director. "These most vulnerable of all children and their families face difficult attitudes and almost no government services." It is estimated that in the central province of Santiago, with a population of 1 million, the number of people living with disabilities is 60,000. At the same time, there is an acute shortage of accessible and affordable rehabilitation and special education services. The press release continues: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/International-Child-Care-1004041.html IMF Conference On Central America, Panama And DR
'Casa Santo Domingo, Antigua Guatemala. June 25–26, 2009. This year’s conference will take place against the background of an unprecedented global financial and economic crisis. While the region has been relatively sheltered from the direct financial fallout of the crisis, its economies are, nonetheless, being hit hard as a result of their strong external linkages with the U.S. and other advanced economies where the crisis originated.' More here: http://www.imf.org/external/np/seminars/eng/2009/whd/index.htm £2.5 Million Compensation For Tourists
'More than 500 British tourists have won compensation exceeding £2.5m in total after their holidays were ruined by illness at a hotel resort in the Dominican Republic. Their lawyers claimed the settlement with two UK tour companies was among the largest recorded for a holiday case, and warned that other operators should learn from the 2007 outbreak which struck down more than 1,000 holidaymakers and led to dozens being taken to hospital. The problems at the Bahia Principe San Juan all-inclusive resort lasted from January to August, legal firm Irwin Mitchell said, alleging the holiday companies showed a "flagrant disregard" for customers' health by continuing to fly people to the destination well into the outbreak of illnesses, which included infections usually linked to contaminated food or water. These included shigella, salmonella, giardia and E coli. The firm has so far settled claims from 514 of those affected (including 12 couples whose honeymoons were ruined) with Thomas Cook and its subsidiary My Travel, which it acquired after the Bahia outbreak. A few other cases with these companies are still subject to negotiation. Irwin Mitchell is also acting for 419 clients who travelled to the Bahia Principe with First Choice.' Tourists interviewed in the second article feel they should have received a higher sum by way of compensation. Read on: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/jun/18/holiday-illness-compensation Cocaine From DR
'Authorities snagged 45 pounds of cocaine during a routine bag inspection at Newark Liberty International Airport. Officials say the drugs, worth more than $2 million on the street, arrived aboard a flight from the Dominican Republic in an untagged duffel bag June 11. No one attempted to claim the bag and no one was arrested. The 35 brick-shaped objects containing the cocaine were detected during X-ray inspections.' The story continues: From AI To Mission
'Catherine Croteau and her husband, Joseph Croteau Jr., of Ware, went to the Dominican Republic last year and stayed at an all-inclusive resort. In April, they made a very different trip when they joined 23 other members of the Second Baptist Church in South Hadley on a one-week mission to bring medical care, manual labor, food and supplies to the island's sugar cane villages. Croteau said she painted a wall outside a hospital, put together water filtration kits, installed them in homes in impoverished communities, poured cement for a roof on a school and went to a barrio in the city to hand out food packages.' More here: http://www.masslive.com/hampfrank/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-21/124522350593480.xml&coll=1 Punta Cana As Incentive Prize
'Kenwood USA Corporation is conducting a new authorized dealer incentive program in 2009, with the prize being a 7-day vacation in the picturesque Punta Cana district of the Dominican Republic. Dave Hoag, Director of Sales for Kenwood, said “We have the hardest working dealers in the industry, and the ‘Seize the Beach’ incentive program rewards the best of the best with a relaxing vacation. Given the difficulties of today’s retail environment, I’m sure these dealers will be ready to decompress in October with their Kenwood friends.” ' The promotion continues: Microsoft And Children International
'Employees from Microsoft Latin America support Children International and travel to the Dominican Republic to teach 50 children who have grown up challenged by poverty the basics of technology, and support another 48 graduates, mothers and staff. When senior staff from Microsoft Latin America, Carmen Gonzalez and Rafael Lara, toured Children International's Los Tanquecitos and Mendoza Community Centers, in Santo Domingo recently, they never expected to find students with such a high level of proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel.' The press release continues: Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. Tragedy At Damajagua - Weekend News June 14th. 2009
On Thursday afternoon an American couple, David and Jean Rosenberg, aged 56 and 52 respectively, drowned at Damajagua Falls after a torrential rain shower increased the flow of water at the seventh fall according to Sacandomelao.com. The couple's teenage children Edward, 19 and Steven, 16, were also caught by the current, tried unsuccessfully to save their parents and were themselves saved by the guide accompanying them according to El Nacional. The family was on a supervised tour with a guide and were wearing life jackets and helmets. They had been staying at Room 216, Ocean Dream, Cabarete. The local Secretary of Tourism has closed the falls; there will be a visit and reconstruction of the accident on Tuesday together with the Secretary of Environment whose architect announced a future plan for security, maximum numbers of tourists and services required at the falls like ladders, hanging bridges and ropes to enable rapid egress should the waters rise suddenly. Meanwhile all tours to Damajagua booked for the next week are cancelled pending Tuesday's visit. Condolences are extended to all family and friends. Florida papers are reporting a white-water rafting accident which has to be incorrect. http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/junio2009/muerenahogadosparejaturitas.htm http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2281&start=1 http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/06/dos-turistas-mueren-en-saltos-damajagua.html http://www.listin.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=104468 http://listindiario.com/app/article.aspx?id=104479 http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=155804 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2285&start=1 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/2108/Default.aspx PP's Health Minister Doesn't Know Of Local A/H1N1 case
Following a report in Diario Libre that Puerto Plata had its first confimed cases of A/H1N1 flu, journalists asked the Regional Director of Salud Publica but he did not know about these. He promised to contact his superiors in Santo Domingo to find out. The two patients in the Montellano IDSS hospital, referred to in last week's news (third link) have now been released after treatment with Tamiflu. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2273&start=1 Selling Sosua Land Cheaply
Banco Central has sold some 1,250,000 square metres of land adjacent to Puerto Plata airport to a group of Santiago businessmen led by Mícalo Bermudez, for a tourism project at a very low price, what is called here 'for the price of a dead cow'. Allegedly the price was below RD$300 per square metre, a figure which experts say is laughable, according to Puerto Plata Habla. It is suggested that once serviced by roads, water and electricity such land would be worth RD$3000 pesos a square metre. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2277&start=1 New Regulations Playa Dorada
Playa Dorada Association of Hotels, Condominiums and Commercial Establishments has brought in new regulations regarding noise after 10 pm, commercial promotions at nightime and entry after 1 am to the complex. Staff and tours will need to use the second entrance. A Different Type Of Expat Life
An expat Yugoslav living in Santiago begging in a hospital. He apparently speaks 6 languages but has no Embassy here from which to request assistance. According to the video he said he was a political refugee and that the Yugoslavia he left no longer exists, now being divided into several countries. Allegedly he has been here two years. http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/06/video-yugoslavo-habla-6-idiomas-vive.html And Now For Something Completely Different
Los Haitises
Wednesday's march delivering the protest document against the cement factory to the National Palace was met with a strong police cordon denying access. There is a video at the first link. Things started getting physical at Gonzalo when local residents started burning tyres and blocking entry of trucks to the cement factory workplace. Police fired shots to disperse protestors. Meanwhile an interview in Clave Digital with Ivonne Arias, Director of Grupo Jaragua, suggests that the Environment Minister is not really in favour of the cement factory. http://www.noticiassin.com/www/index.php?go=Display&act=display_article&tid=4&aid=5484 http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/06/policias-reprimen-marcha-contra-la.html http://www.hoy.com.do/provincias/2009/6/10/281003/Protestas-por-la-cementera http://www.accionverde.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/yvonneahaitises.pdf JCE Mafia
'Investigations carried out as the result of a complaint about an alleged mafia to be found in the Legal Department of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) that provided false documentation to foreigners, showed that there was dishonesty and administrative failures. According to what a source revealed to the Diario Libre, the JCE is just waiting for the prosecutor Narciso Escaño, who is in charge of the case, to sign the report before going forward institutionally to punish those involved. Even though the source did not reveal how many nor who were involved in the case, it was hinted that there were failures in the very heart of the legal office management.' More here: Fingerprinting Foreigners
'The Minister of the Interior and of the Police, Franklin Almeyda, reported yesterday that they are now installing along the Dominican-Haitian frontier the units that will fingerprint everyone that enters and leaves the country. Nevertheless, the official also said that the same would be done with the other foreigners that enter the Dominican Republic through the different airports and ports. As he left the seminar "Migration Policies and Experiences in the Processes of Regulation", Almeyda pointed out that as a consequence, this has to do with Haitians, Cubans, Chinese, Germans, Swiss, Spaniards and other foreigners that are not legally in the country.' Should weed out a few... Caution Over Bonds
'The US$1.0 billion bond emission that the administration will send to the Congress for approval, and that will be used "to solidify the economy", in the middle of a record deficit of RD$6.4 billion of fiscal income with relation to what was estimated, and of RD$14 billion with relation to the same period in 2008, has been received with caution by businessmen and economists, who feel that they lack details with which to better evaluate this decision. Pedro Perez, the president of the National Organization of Commercial Enterprises (ONEC), said yesterday that care should be taken with the announcement of the emission of sovereign bonds. He referred to the fact that even though there are no details of what will be done with the bonds, to put the country deeper into debt is not the solution, since it is not known whether the money is for current expenses or for established objectives. He added that it is dangerous to put the country into debt to continue spending without control.' Read on: Award For Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club
'Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, located in Puerto Plata on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, has been honored by Group RCI with its prestigious Gold and Silver Crown Awards. Group RCI, a worldwide leader in timeshare and vacation exchanges with more than 3.5 million members globally, presented a RCI Gold Crown Resort® award to The Crown Villas at Lifestyle Holidays Club Resort, a RCI Silver Crown Resort® award to The Crown Suites at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Resort and a RCI Silver Crown Resort® award to The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Resort. The awards are presented annually to RCI affiliated resorts in recognition of outstanding resort facilities and services, based on a compilation of exchange guest assessments, including resort quality, service delivery and overall vacation experience. Additionally, Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Yield & Reservations Manager Yohani Casilla and Chief Operation Officer Jannett Zacarias were presented with 2009 RCI Diamond Crown awards for their ongoing support to make member vacation experiences memorable.' The press release continues here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lifestyle-Holidays-Vacation-bw-15477428.html?.v=1 New Food And Beverage Manager
'Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, located in Puerto Plata on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, announces the appointment of internationally-trained Fadi Hamad as Director of Food and Beverage, overseeing six restaurants and more than 230 food and beverage employees throughout the resort. Hamad, a native of Lebanon and a graduate of Lasalle College in Montreal, Canada with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, has global chef and catering director experience from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Bahamas, France, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, and the United States.' The second press release continues here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lifestyle-Holidays-Vacation-bw-15513809.html?.v=1 Tropical Medicine In DR
'Ali Daneshvar doesn't have his medical degree, but that didn't matter to the people he brought medicine to in a refugee camp in the Dominican Republic. "It was basically a garbage dump with a bunch of huts with roofs made of tin," the Michigan State University osteopathic medicine graduate student said of the camp near the Haitian border. Daneshvar was one of 18 students who visited the Dominican Republic on May 9-15 to observe tropical medicine. The trip was led by Reza Nassiri, director of the university's Institute of International Health and professor of osteopathic medicine. The institute works with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and coordinates joint research opportunities for faculty and medical students. It suggests partnerships with foreign universities and hospitals and the dean's office of the college approves them.' Read on here but please note there are no 'refugee camps' in the DR! http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/jun/08/bc-mi-exchange-medical-mission/ Google Western Union In DR
'Leave it to Google to not forget about the little guys. By introducing the Western Union Quick Cash payment option in seven countries, the search giant is trying to make it easier for people in more rural settings to receive AdSense payments. Barbados, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nepal, Uruguay, and Vietnam are the nations that have been affected by the expansion. As a post on the Inside AdSense blog points out, the Western Union option might be especially useful in these areas "since you won't have to wait for checks to arrive in the mail or clear at the bank."' Sankies, please note! Beans And Tourism
'The Dominican Republic hopes to partially pay for fuel under a Venezuelan oil-supply pact with black beans and tourism services. Treasury Minister Vicente Bengoa says the pitch will be made to the Venezuelan delegation attending a Friday energy summit, where talks will focus on the Petrocaribe Initiative which allows needy Caribbean nations to buy oil at preferential prices'. The story continues: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/DomRep-Beans-tourism-can-pay-apf-15495371.html?.v=1 Marcos Diaz Wins Again
'He lives on an island surrounded by water just like Key West -- although his island is much larger. Still, it's no small feat to be the top individual winner in the 33rd annual Swim Around Key West. That's what Marcos Diaz, 34, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, accomplished on Saturday, finishing the grueling race in four hours, eight minutes and 47 seconds. Behind him around an hour later was the top female finisher, Heather Carmargo, 37, of Hollywood, who completed the 12.5-mile lap in 5:02:21.' Read on: Cuban Knights Medical Mission
'Medical Mission to the Dominican Republic Organized by Doctors and volunteers of the Cuban Association of the Order of Malta. During the weekend of May 28th to June 1st the semi-annual medical mission of 2009 to the Hospital Manuel J. Centurion at ILAC Center, Licey al Medio medical facility in the Dominican Republic was undertaken, under the leadership of Doctors Jorge Echenique, MD and José Joaquín Centurión, MD both Knights of Malta and members of the Cuban Association, residing and practicing in South Florida. As it has been the case for the past several years, 33 participants: twelve doctors, eight nurses, five pharmacists and eight volunteers, plus a Dental Team and their medical supplies, flew with the collaboration of American Airlines to the Dominican Republic from Miami, Florida. Their mission was to give medical assistance to more than 1,000 patients in this poor area, just a few miles outside Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city in the country.' The press release continues here: British Expats Against Corruption In Spain
'Spain’s first Expat political party, the newly formed Central Democratic Liberal (DCL), is modelled on the Liberal Democrats and aims to take centre stage in Spain. Jacqueline Cotterill, a 49 year-old British woman who sold up in Coventry in 1990 to move to Spain's south-eastern coast is the top Briton on the DCL's national list. She is already the deputy mayor of Parcent, a small town near Benidorm on the Costa Blanca after winning a seat on the council two years ago. 'Local corruption and poor planning laws have caused huge problems for so many of the British people who have bought homes out here,' she said. 'This new party is committed to reforming land laws in line with EU recommendations and upholding the rights of European citizens - something which has unfortunately been lacking here in Spain.' Thousands of expatriates have been threatened with the loss of illegally built homes while others have been victims of a controversial "land grab" law in Valencia. Expatriates had capitalised on anger over property rights to win seats on local councils on the Costa’s, where an estimated one million Britons have homes. But it is the first time that non-Spanish candidates will attempt to win seats in the European elections.' More here: http://www.investmentinternational.com/news/latest/expats-fight-for-property-rights-in-spain.html http://www.theolivepress.es/2009/05/22/expats-against-corruption/ Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Two In Isolation Montellano - Weekend News June 7th. 2009
A young married couple from Sabaneta de Yásica went to Centro Medico Bournigal, Puerto Plata, on Friday with possible A/H1N1 symptoms. Samples were taken and sent for testing and the couple placed in isolation in the Social Security hospital in Montellano. Doubtless the news will provoke the usual over-reaction but of greater interest is the fact that the Minister of Health has now given permission for A/H1N1 medications to be imported and sold at pharmacies. This follows a spate of fake medicines on the market. The legitimate medications will only be available by doctor's prescription and the Minister has urged doctors not to dispense prescriptions unless they are really needed. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2243&start=1 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1996/Default.aspx http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1993/Default.aspx Ocean World And The Taxistas
The ongoing dispute between taxistas and Ocean World now has the involvement of Minister of Tourism, Javier García, in order to seek a resolution. Ocean World has Ministry of Tourism permits to transport hotel guests to the Casino at night but the taxi drivers want this business themselves. There have been a number of demonstrations, some of which have become violent, when Politur tried to move taxi blockades. http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/junio2009/secretariaturismomediaconflicto.htm JetBlue Diverts To Puerto Plata
Last Saturday a JetBlue flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Fort Lauderdale, Florida made an emergency landing at Puerto Plata airport after an engine fire warning. Passengers were accommodated in local hotels until the flight resumed on Sunday. http://www.sosuaonline.net/DetailPost.aspx?postId=5105 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1952/Default.aspx Los Haitises
http://noalacementera.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/resumen-ejecutivo.pdf http://www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2009/6/5/280327/Piden-suspender-trabajos-de-cementera-en-los-Haitises http://toyjartoperocreoenmipais.wordpress.com/2009/06/03/un-cemento-muy-caro/ http://www.bocealo.com/2009/06/grupos-lanzan-ofensiva-contra-cementera-en-los-haitises/ http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/PerspectivaA.aspx?Id_Articulo=5909 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/484/ItemID/1998/Default.aspx Ship Goes Aground
A ship loaded with iron and old car chassis set sail from Puerto Plata on Thursday and ran aground near Cabrera in the early hours of Friday morning. The Navy and Civil Defence are helping to free it. http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/junio2009/encallafrentemunicipiocabrera.htm Electricity Prices
Electricity prices are set to increase from anywhere between 2.21% to 22.4% in the next two months, applied in two installments, June and July. The increases mean prices for 0-200 kws rise from RD$3.12 to RD$3.50 or 12.17%; 201-300 kws from RD$4.71 to RD$5.50 or 16.77%; 301-700kw from RD$7 to RD$8.57 or 22.4%; and above 700kw from RD$8.57 to RD$8.76 or 2.21% (for the entire bill!). Explosion At Propane Station
'Some 18 injured, 11 of them with different degrees of burns, was the result left by the explosion of a propane filling station at 12:30 a.m. yesterday morning on the San Isidro Highway in East Santo Domingo. "I thought that the world was ending", said Demetrio Vasquez. And it was because of the fire at the "Leon Gas" propane station that caused panic and the stampede of thousands of residents from the urbanizations La Moneda, Nancy Anabella and Amarilis, among others, who were mostly sleeping at that hour...........Thousands of mother and fathers that lived near the propane station fled in panic with their children. Barefooted, in pajamas or in towels, they ran out into the streets fearing another explosion.' More in the English language version of Diario Libre: Dealing Gold In DR
'In a report entitled US Gold, Going, or Completely Gone? Rob Kirby, forensic analyst at Kirby Analytics, says almost 3,000 metric tonnes of gold compounds were exported from the US in 2008. Paul Mylchreest, of the Thunder Road Report, notes that a "very suspicious" 174 tonnes of gold compounds were exported to the Dominican Republican – "that well known hub of the world gold trade". "Maybe these gold compounds really are used in gold paint and that artist who normally puts colourful tarpaulins around islands and buildings has painted the whole of the Dominican Republic gold," Mylchreest ponders. "I'll go and check Google Earth." But, he reckons the transformation of the Dominican Republic into a key staging post in the cocaine trade between South America and the US, is far more likely'. Read on: One Year Wait For DR Wedding Certificate
'A Collier Row couple are preparing to celebrate their first wedding anniversary next month - even though their marriage isn't recognised. Richard Caine, 29, and Hayley Ansell, 26, spent almost £18,000 on their dream wedding in the Dominican Republic in July last year. But as the date of their first anniversary looms, they still have not received their wedding certificate. The couple booked their wedding through travel agents Thomson, in The Liberty, Romford, and were married by a judge at the Dreams Hotel in Punta Cana on July 18. The pair, who have been together for seven years, signed marriage certificates and were told they would receive them before they flew back to the UK. But the certificates weren't ready in time and the couple flew back empty-handed. Now, almost one year later, they still have no proof of their budget-busting marriage. Hayley told the Recorder: "When we came back from the Dominican Republic I chased it up, and Thomson told me it can take up to six months to get the certificate back. I rang again in January and they told me it can take a year. "I paid almost £18,000 for a dream wedding and I've had nothing but grief." Distraught Hayley can't take her husband's last name, and often can't pick up goods in his name, because she has no proof she's his wife.' The saga continues: Art Therapy In Jail
Not all is violence and squalor in Dominican jails. A painting competition for inmates was held throughout the DR's jails. One of the judges was renowned Dominican artist Candido Bido. http://elnacional.com.do/nacional/2009/6/6/17831/Premian-5-reclusos-por-calidad-de-su-pintura Politur In Doha
'Major General Saad Bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Director General of Public Security, received General Henry De Khaisus, Director General of Tourism Police of the Dominican Republic at his office in the Ministry of Interior on Sunday. The meeting was attended by members of the delegation accompanying the Dominican official and directors of different departments at the Ministry of Interior. On the same day, an official meeting was also held between the Qatari and Dominican sides.' Surgeries In Cotui
'For years Benito Francois had to deal with an 8 to 10 pound growth in the middle of his chest that made life uncomfortable and made him a pariah. He was shunned to the degree that when surgeons and nurses from the Medical Mission Group, made up of doctors from New York and Baltimore Washington Medical Center, were in his town of Cotui in the Dominican Republic for 10 days in April, townspeople tried to prevent him from being seen. Eventually, he walked into the hospital and opened his shirt, exposing the oozing growth. Nurses responded immediately, and doctors prepared for surgery. "It was the fourth OR (operation) day when tumor man walked in," surgical technician Karen Kemp said. "Just before he went into surgery he said, 'Thank you for helping me, and if I die it's OK because you tried.' " More here: Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts
'Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts announced plans to enter the Dominican Republic and increase its Mexican presence with the relaunch of two exclusive properties later this year. Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana will open fall 2009 and Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos is slated to open December 2009.....Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana is a sanctuary of supreme relaxation with 53 intimate and ultra-luxurious suites designed with natural stones, hardwoods, cathedral ceilings and deep soaking tubs. Set on ten acres of unspoiled jungle paradise on the Dominican Republic’s easternmost coast, this resort promotes indulgence with 200 yards of private beach and sparkling waters a luxurious Phytomer Spa, full-service fitness center, gourmet a la carte restaurants featuring authentic Spanish, Dominican and international cuisines, a premium wine cellar, serpentine pool, tennis, golf and meeting facilities. Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana was recognized on Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot Caribbean Hotels List 2008.' The press release continues here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Zotry-Wellness-amp-Spa-bw-15452685.html?.v=1 Shoes For The Poor
'A Bal Harbour teenager who led a shoe drive for needy children in the Dominican Republic over-achieved his goal: With the help of family members and local leaders, Bennett Blachar collected thousands of pairs of shoes. ''We collected much more than I ever hoped for,'' said Bennett, 17. ``This could not have happened without everyone's help.'' Bennett, the son of Bal Harbour's assistant mayor, Joni Blachar, collected 3,000 pairs of shoes -- about three-times what he had expected. The soon-to-be senior at Ransom Everglades sealed the final cases of shoes at the Tremont Towing facility in Miami Beach two weeks ago. The containers are being shipped to the Caribbean island and should arrive next week. Bennett thought of the idea after vacationing with his family in the Dominican Republic. He was inspired after he took a bike ride through a village and noticed several children walking barefoot.' Read on: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/communities/story/1082650.html Sex Abuse Fugitive Caught In DR
http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/flyer.do?personId=13671 Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Demo By The Rich Of Puerto Plata - Weekend News May 31st. 2009
http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/opiniones/luishenriquez/losricostambienlloran.htm PP Ayuntamiento Responsible For Historic City Centre Buildings
Puerto Plata Mayor, Walter Musa, has agreed that city hall will be responsible for the restoration of Victorian houses in the city centre and the funding of same. He asked that Vittorio Bedin, director of the Restoration Council, reconsider his resignation. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2165&start=1 Leasing Out Cabarete Beach
It would appear that Cabarete District Council has agreed to the leasing of a franchise on part of Cabarete beach for a period of 20 years. Director of the Human Rights Commission, Professor José Artíles, has called on the Navy and Ministry of Tourism to investigate. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2176&start=1 Alleged Killer Of Dutchman Arrested
Haitian Basonard de Camp, 26, has been arrested in Las Terrenas, Samana, in connection with the brutal murder last February of Dutchman Jan Versteeg, 65, in ProCab, Cabarete and the assault and rape of his German wife who is still hospitalised. The Haitian was identified by the widow as being someone who had worked at the couple's home as a security guard. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2179&start=1 Costa Esmeralda Groundbreaking
'Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, located in Puerto Plata on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, recently held a ground breaking ceremony for Phase I of its new Costa Esmeralda by Lifestyle property in the peninsula area on Cofresi Beach. This project will overlook the Atlantic Ocean and the Mount Isabella de Torres mountain range, and enhance the company's existing resort, Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Resort. Austrian architect Sepp Frank is designing 130 Penthouse Suites for rental and purchase on the peninsula and the entire planned project will be developed in three phases over the next several years, with Phase I's expected completion date to be late 2010. The peninsula site recently hosted a U2 tribute band, U2 Hollywood, concert for Lifestyle Holidays members and guests with a record 2,500 people in attendance, followed by fireworks on the property as part of its ongoing ground breaking celebration.' The press release continues: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lifestyle-Holidays-Vacation-bw-15359464.html?.v=1 Luperon Layoffs
The Luperon and Tropical Beach Hotels in Luperon have decided to lay off 50% of their 1300 employees due to fewer numbers of tourists. According to Puerto Plata Digital they now have a total of 350 employees (yes, this reporter knows this isn't 50%; she does not write the originals, merely translates them!). Punta Alma Awaits Environmental Permits
Maurizio Winkler of Terrimax Holding says the company has US$40 million ready for the Punta Alma project in Luperon. They apparently have permits from the Ministry of Tourism and the local city hall and are awaiting Ministry of Environment permits. Sounds somewhat similar to when the project was called Atlantica, a few years back. http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/disponencuarentamillonesdolares.htm Generadora San Felipe Offline
Once again Puerto Plata's Generadora San Felipe is out of service. The reason given is 'technical problems'. Blackouts in Puerto Plata are registering between 12 and 19 hours per day. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2195&start=1 Coroner's Verdict On British North Coast Death
'The husband of a Carlisle community worker has told how he battled to save her after she was pulled under the waves on a snorkelling holiday. Lynn Caslin, a popular community worker well known across the city, died on February 9 in the Dominican Republic....David Roberts, coroner for north and west Cumbia, recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: “Whether she was sucked under or overcome by the waves is impossible to say. “I suspect Mr Caslin put his own life in danger as he brought his wife back to shore. It looks highly likely to me that she was dead by the time he struggled back to shore.” ' More here: Los Haitises
http://www.ecolucha.blogspot.com/ http://www.listin.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=102576 48 Years Ago Today
Dictator Trujillo was killed. Ironically there are citizens who today feel that the emergence of another dictator would deal with the drugs and crime issue. For those interested in history and the resistance of the Dominican people to the dictatorship, please see the first link on the Museo Memorial de la Resistencia Dominicana. By midday the press were surprised that no commemorations had taken place at the Plaza de los Héroes, according to a piece in Diario Libre. Quite possibly everyone was busy preparing for Mother's Day on Sunday. This news bulletin would like to wish all DR mothers a happy day, even Trujillo's! http://www.museodelaresistencia.org/ http://www.museodelaresistencia.org/PDF/Decreto%20282-07.pdf Teleférico For Barahona?
The Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial Turístico, Barahona 2015 envisages a cablecar in Barahona. The objective of the Plan is tourism development to combat poverty and unemployment. 809, 829, Next Area Code 849
'The Dominican Republic has a new area code for telephone users. The new area code is 849, recently assigned to the country by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA). The new number assigned by NANPA will be put into use later this year, according to information supplied by the director of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), Jose Rafael Vargas, even though he did not specify the date when the new area code would enter into service. "All of the subsectors of the telecommunications sector are growing and the best demonstration of this is in the telephone sector, since this year we will have to implement a new area code, and as of now Indotel has received from NANPA the new number," said Vargas during a speech during which he also outlined the outside challenges. The new area code arrives less than four years aver the NPA 829 number was first used in 2005, in addition to the traditional 809. For that same 2005, the country also started using ten digit dialing for both landlines and mobile phones in the Dominican Republic.' More here: Florian's Privileges And Legacy
The Police Captain and Colonel who shot Florian, Lino de Oca Jiménez and Jose Antonio Pulinario Rodriguez, have been remanded in custody for three months - the initial remand was to Najayo (where Florian had been a prisoner!) but this was changed to the special Police and Military jail. Meanwhile footage has appeared on TV as to the luxury of Florian's surroundings. The Director of Prisons apparently knew nothing about this (!) and has ordered the dismantling of all luxury cells. http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/05/la-corrupcion-y-los-privilegios-en.html http://www.almomento.net/news/127/ARTICLE/34192/2009-05-25.html Aristy's Chopper Down
'A pilot and passenger aboard a helicopter owned by a former presidential candidate died after the aircraft crashed in the Dominican Republic. A spokesman for the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute says the cause is unclear. Pedro Jimenez says the pilot checked in with the control tower but did not say he was having problems. Jimenez says the E480B helicopter crashed Thursday about 20 minutes after taking off from the southern coastal town of La Romana, headed north to Higuero. The copter is owned by Amable Aristy Castro, who ran unsuccessfully in his party's 2007 presidential primary.' Dominican papers are reporting that there was only a pilot and no passenger. More here: Power One Leaves DR For China
'Power-One, Inc. a leading provider of power conversion and power management solutions, today announced plans to close its Dominican Republic facility by the end of the first quarter in 2010 The facility in the Dominican Republic employs approximately 900 people in the manufacture of the Company’s custom and standard AC-DC and DC-DC product lines. Severance and other closure costs are expected to be approximately $13 to $15 million to be incurred through the second quarter of the fiscal year 2010, including certain non-cash charges of approximately $3 to $5 million. The Company will transition the products to its plant located in China, its joint venture in China and to contract manufacturers. Power-One expects to realize an annual savings of approximately $14 to $15 million from the closing of the facility.' Read on: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/PowerOne-Announces-Closing-of-bw-15354697.html?.v=1 DR A/H1N1 To Russia After Love
'A Kaluga man who returned from his honeymoon in the Dominican Republic has been hospitalized with Russia's second confirmed case of the A/H1N1 influenza virus, also known as the swine flu, health authorities said. The man, 25, and his wife flew into Moscow from the Dominican Republic on May 19 and sought medical attention after feeling ill, though he was hospitalized only on Thursday, the Federal Consumer Protection Service said. "His wife was placed under medical observation, but no signs of the virus have been confirmed," the agency's chief, Gennady Onishchenko, told Interfax. "The man's condition is satisfactory." Four of the infected man's relatives who had contact with him are also undergoing medical examinations, Onishchenko said.' The story continues in The Moscow Times. Meanwhile an article in El Caribe notes that Russian citizens have been advised by the preventive health chief not to travel to the DR, among other countries. Suspect In DR Murder Busted In Orlando
'A woman accused of killing her husband in the Dominican Republic was picked up last week near Orlando, where she had assumed the identity of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Wendy Maria Polanco Gonzalez, 37, was arrested on a charge of overstaying her tourist visa and falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, ICE announced today. "We are committed to apprehending those who knowingly misrepresent themselves as U.S. citizens in order to gain rights and benefits that they would not otherwise be entitled to, or, in this case, to evade law enforcement officials in their home country," said ICE Special Agent in Charge Sue McCormick in Tampa. Gonzalez had been living in the U.S. since Feb. 8, 2008, the same day she is accused of shooting her common-in-law husband at their home in the Dominican Republic and flying to New York City. Interpol issued a worldwide warrant for her arrest, according to ICE.' More here: Government Purchases Ede-Este
'The Superintendent of Electricity, Francisco Mendez, confirmed yesterday the purchase of all of the stock of Ede-Este by the Dominican state, after alleging that this represents a solution to a legal struggle in which they have already paid US$12 million to lawyers. The government acquired yesterday all of the shares of Ede-Este for a sum that is between US$20 million and US$25 million. The negotiation was headed by the vice president of the Dominican Corporation of State-owned electrical Enterprises (CDEEE), Radhames Segura'. Read on: Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html The Camp-In Continues! - Weekend News May 24th. 2009
The sit-in/camp-in at Los Haitises continues. It was due to finish this weekend, but in the light of developments the participants are keeping it going. For background please see last weeks news Campaign To Save Los Haitises National Park at the third link. On Wednesday the environmental commission of the Chamber of Deputies called a meeting for Minister of the Environment, Jaime David to explain why the permission was given for the cement factory. He did not show up but sent a team of delegates. The Environmental Commission was apparently unconvinced by their arguments and decided to seek the annulment of the permission granted. The camp-in therefore continues! Activists need food so anyone going there or living nearby, please take them some. The battle is by no means won but this would appear to be a ray of hope and certainly attests to the power of peaceful protest. http://ecolucha.blogspot.com/2009/05/semarena-y-jaime-david-no-acuden-ante.html http://ecolucha.blogspot.com/2009/05/video-protesta-miercoles-con.html More Art In Puerto Plata
http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/montarancasaculturaexposicion.htm http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2135&start=1 http://www.hoy.com.do/vivir/2009/5/8/276861/Wifredo-Garcia-un-fotografo-para-la-historia New Casino For Sosua August 1st.
'Caribbean Casino and Gaming Corporation today is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of our wholly owned subsidiary, the new Sosua Bay Grand Casino. Our beautiful luxury casino is set to open August 1st 2009. The Sosua Bay Hotel and Casino is complete with a top notch casino, world class gym and spa, state of the art convention center and full scale discotheque. This casino represents a totally new building just a stones throw from the lobby of a beautiful 250 room luxury hotel. We plan to supply our guests with all the amenities of a large scale casino hotel and the beauty of the Caribbean.' The press release continues here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Caribbean-Gaming-Announces-pz-15281583.html More Trouble In Cabarete
Business associations in Cabarete met on Friday to plan future protests and strikes against the District Council's abusive tax and charge increases and the privatisation of tax collection and services. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2145&start=1 19 Years For Killing Girlfriend And Baby
Austrian Iris Stupnig, 32, and her six month old baby were shot and killed in apartment 187 of Residencial Sosúa Sol in El Batey one year ago. Last weekend the father of the baby and boyfriend of the deceased was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment. The Prosecutor had asked for the full 30 year penalty. http://www.listindiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=101412 http://www.periodicoelfaro.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=827&Itemid=13 http://www2.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=105073 http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2008/apresanhaitianoasesino.htm http://www.elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/859/Default.aspx http://www3.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=18478 http://www.elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/861/Default.aspx http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2008/otroincidentesangriento.htm Jails 400% Overcrowded
'The overpopulation that affects 25 of the 35 jails and prisons is more that 400% above the capacity of these facilities that now have a total population of 18,111. La Victoria Prison is 130% over capacity. The Department of Prisons cites among the most overpopulated the jail in La Romana, at 479% of capacity, since it has 537 inmates and it was designed for 110. Higuey is another overcrowded prison, with 436 inmates in a facility built for 76, a 474% overpopulation. Besides those two examples, there is Santiago Rodriguez with 443% overpopulation. There are 125 persons being held in a jail designed to hold 23 inmates. In Montecristi, the over crowding is 421% with 443 persons in a space built to hold 85.' The story continues: Burt Webber's Dive
'Marine Exploration, Inc. announces Burt Webber and crew are in Dominican Republic waters diving for sunken treasure. From the R/V Hispaniola, divers are using unique jet propulsion boots while holding hand-held cesium magnetometers in the search for valuable underwater cargoes of jewels and priceless artifacts. Burt Webber, one of the most renowned and successful Caribbean Sea explorers of the 1970s, and his team have begun to search the scene of numerous treasure galleon shipwrecks off the Silver Bank of the Dominican Republic. Known for introducing sophisticated new underwater search systems that revolutionized shipwreck exploration, Webber continues to bring treasure salvage to a high art. The first class 128-foot R/V Hispaniola has most recently been berthed in the port of San Souci, Dominican Republic awaiting further government approvals and suitable seas. Bedecked with high-tech devices including a state of the art operations center, the R/V Hispaniola has been re-designed to Webber’s exact specifications'. The press release continues here with video at the second link: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Marine-Explorations-Burt-bw-15287885.html?.v=1 A/H1N1 Flu
'Health authorities fanned out Monday across white sand beaches in the eastern Dominican Republic, searching for possible swine flu in a resort area that initially benefited from fears about the virus. No cases have been confirmed in the Dominican Republic. But health workers in the Caribbean country are concerned about the potential for transmission after three Chilean women were diagnosed with the new flu strain upon returning home from Punta Cana, Health Secretary Bautista Rojas said. The travelers have been hospitalized and isolated in Chile, that country's health ministry said. They flew home Saturday aboard a Copa Airlines flight that also stopped in Panama. Rojas told reporters late Monday that doctors examined some 200 people, including the Chileans' driver, but there was no sign of the H1N1 virus that has sickened more than 8,000 people around the world and killed 76.' More here: http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/may/18/bc-cb-swine-flu-dominican/ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/18/content_11392096.htm http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=152207 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1922/Default.aspx Florian Feliz Killed In Jail
'An inmate serving a 20-year sentence for drug trafficking died on Sunday, hours after being shot four times by a police captain who he tried to stab at the prison in Najayo, a town in the southern Dominican Republic, officials said. Rolando Florian Felix died at a hospital in Santo Domingo, prison bureau director Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez said. Capt. Lina de Oca Jimenez is being treated at the police hospital in the capital for a face wound caused by a knife, Perez Sanchez said. The incident is under investigation and police reinforcements have been sent to the maximum-security prison to bolster security, the prison bureau chief said. The police captain shot Florian Felix with his service pistol when the inmate got angry and attacked him for ordering a visitor to leave. Florian Felix was the best-known drug trafficker doing time in the Dominican Republic, having served 14 years of his 20-year sentence for smuggling more than 900 kilos of cocaine into the country.' More here: http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=335005&CategoryId=14092 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2117&start=1 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1921/Default.aspx Grupo Puntacana Wins
Grupo Puntacana has won the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Award for destination stewardship. 'Grupo PUNTACANA is a pioneer in sustainable tourism management with nearly three decades of innovative work in the Dominican Republic. Its vision was to create a community that respects the natural habitat of Punta Cana and supports the local people in bettering their lives. They own and operate Puntacana Resort & Club, Punta Cana International Airport, Puntacana Ecological Foundation, and Puntacana Community Foundation, among other destination attractions, real estate developments, and infrastructure. The company developed much of the infrastructure in this region, including the Punta Cana International Airport, built using local materials and reflecting local culture. It runs two local schools, a public polytechnic institute, and provides free medical facilities to the people of the area.' The story continues: http://www.tourismfortomorrow.com/Winners/2009_Winner_and_Finalists/grupo-puntacana/index.php http://www.tourismfortomorrow.com/Winners/2009_Winner_and_Finalists/ Walking Down
'Jack Taras and his friends thought they would be checking in to the Occidental Grand http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090518/ENT/305190020/1001/RSS Brit Expats Doing OK
'The majority of British expats feel they are better prepared to weather the financial storm than if they had stayed in the UK, a new survey reveals. A report by NatWest found that 87 per cent of Brits abroad felt they were better off living outside the UK, with expats in the United Arab Emirates feeling the most financially confident. The NatWest International Personal Banking NatWest IPB Quality of Life Report in conjunction with think tank Centre for Future Studies surveyed British expatriates all over their world about how they are faring in the current global economic climate.' More at the first two links. Meanwhile the IMF has issued a statement about the UK 'Notwithstanding recent signs of stabilization, the UK economy remains susceptible to potential shocks. The sharp increase in public sector borrowing and contingent government liabilities, together with continued financial sector fragility, are significant vulnerabilities. In these circumstances, a severe shock has the potential to disrupt domestic and external stability.' The full statement is at the third link. http://www.moneyextra.com/news/british-expats-better-prepared-to-beat-recession.html http://www.investmentinternational.com/news/latest/brits-weather-the-storm.html The Punta Cana Grill
'Warm Caribbean waters lap at the beaches of Punta Cana in the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. As the country’s most famous destination resort, everyone who travels will recognize the name as one symbolic of balmy weather, glistening beaches and vacation hotspots. It’s also synonymous with great Dominican cuisine, and Jo Ortiz is counting on its allure to draw customers into her restaurant, the Punta Cana Grill, in the Country Shoppes Plaza next to Sweetbay, on the corner of Radio Road and Santa Barbara.' The story continues: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/may/20/take-trip-caribbean-without-airfare/?partner=RSS A Different Look At Safari Tours
'Hispaniola is an island divided. The larger portion comprises the Dominican Republic, best known for its lushly appointed beachside resorts set against hills of tropical rainforest. Beyond those hills, however, and a highly patrolled barbed-wire border lies hurricane-ravaged Haiti, one of the poorest and most distressed countries in the world. It’s a dichotomy that rarely touches the consciousness of visitors, yet to the observant eye, any excursion into the countryside reveals a different DR than the one presented to tourists.' More here: British Airways Punta Cana Route
'British Airways will launch new flights to the Caribbean for its 2009-10 winter season. The twice-weekly services from London Gatwick to Montego Bay in Jamaica and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic will begin on October 25th. Tickets for the routes go on sale on 22 May.' Read on: http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2339996/ http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/news/19181570-british-airways-confirms-new-caribbean-flights.html Pan American Standards Commission
'The 2009 General Assembly of the Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT) met last week, bringing together representatives of standards communities from North, Central, and South America. The meeting was held May 10-14, 2009, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The annual Assembly provides a forum to advance standardization activities in the Americas, and offers opportunities for U.S. interests to share information and network with standards and conformance bodies from the region.' The story continues: Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Integracion Juvenil Inauguration - Weekend News May 17th. 2009
Drugs Laboratory In Casa Linda
Three dogs prevented DNCD officers from arresting a Czech resident of 77 Casa Linda, Sosua on Tuesday. They Czech escaped but police are pursuing him, according to Sosua Online. It would appear that he was operating a drugs laboratory in Casa Linda as well as preparing cocaine and heroin for transportation by mules. The Fiscal took evidence such capsules of drugs, scales and a machine for sealing vacuum packs into custody. Elliot Group Litigation In T&C
The Elliott Group are litigating against those who litigated against them in the Turks and Caicos, after a judge there dismissed the plaint as malicious. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2102&start=1 15 Hour Blackouts Cause Demos
Residents of downtown Puerto Plata barrios are again experiencing blackouts of up to 15 hours duration. According to officials from the Junta de Vecinos in Playa Oeste, residents HAVE been paying their electricity bills. Community leaders have approached EdeNorte for an explanation but have not received anything satisfactory. It would appear that in the light of this plans are afoot for demonstrations. http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/juntasvecinosanuncianpiquete.htm New Businesses In Puerto Plata Free Zone
Four new businesses have opened in the Puerto Plata Free Zone, including RTS, (Econo Page), Cyber Sistem and Out Source call centres with an investment of US$5.0 million, and E-2 Design & Development. There are currently some 1400 people working in the Free Zone and this number is expected to rise to 2200 by the end of the year. http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/nuevasempresasinicianactividades.htm Palmera De Cabarete
'NID Holdings has announced its plans for the $200 million Palmera de Cabarete Resort and Spa in the Dominican Republic. The developers have tapped RAD Architecture, interior designer Celia Domenech, and landscape architects SWA Group to work on the project, located on nearly 20 acres. The luxury resort's 138 villas will feature floor-to-ceiling windows and marble floors; penthouses call for summer kitchens, a cabana bathroom, and infinity-edge plunge pools. Also slated for the resort are an expansive spa and wellness center, a conference center, and tennis courts.' More here: Frenchman 3 Months Preventiva Puerto Plata
Akca Soner, the French drug baron who was subject to a story in last week's news, has been remanded in custody for three months. He was one of two accused of having 'bought' accomplices within the Puerto Plata police force, resulting in the arrest of some 31 police officials in the province, the case against 23 of whom was subsequently dismissed due to inadmissible evidence. The charge against Soner is in relation to ordering a contract killing and not in relation to buying police officers. Last week's story is at the second link. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2072&start=1 Campaign To Save Los Haitises National Park
After last year's evictions of crop growers from Los Haitises National Park and much talk of preserving the national natural treasures, it now appears that governmental permission has been granted to Grupo Acero Estrella to set up a cement factory in the national park. According to the article at the second link, the Government has a debt to this company. Several organisations such as La Revuelta, Projuventud, Juventud Caribe, Felabel, Colectivo Menta, Marohu, Revolución 65 and others have joined together to campaign against this. There will be a 50 km cycle ride on Sunday to promote awareness of the issue; further information at the third link. Photos at the fourth link show how much land clearance has already been achieved. According to Sacandomelao payments of 200-300 pesos a week are being made to some local people to promote the enterprise and lie about the effects and the journalist notes that his visit received threatening looks. It would appear that the local community is not in favour of the cement factory. It appears that the Ministry of Environment has agreed to the development. The groups of young Dominicans are mounting a week long sit-in/camp-in in Los Haitises starting this weekend. http://www.ecolucha.blogspot.com/ http://ecolucha.blogspot.com/2009/05/una-cementera-en-los-haitises.html http://www.mtbdominicana.com/2009/05/ruta-mtb-ayudando-salvar-los-haitises.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/sacandomelao/with/3532148959/ http://vigilanteinformativo.blogspot.com/2009/05/primer-campento-contra-cementera-en-los.html Want Police Accessories?
For sale at a stall in the street, outside a police station. Watch the video. The Pact
'The agreement between ex opposition PRD party presidential candidate Miguel Vargas and president Leonel Fernandez to eliminate the "never again" clause on consecutive reelection in the new Constitution has unleashed a major crisis in that organization, in the ruling PLD, and the opposition PRD party, after the PRD president said Vargas doesn’t have any authority to strike political deals or seek the that entity’s presidency, describing it a disrespect to its party’s rank-and-file and its statutes. Fernandez and Vargas agreed that the deputies elected in 2010 will remain until 2016 and the reelection would require a four year hiatus and may be sought for two terms afterwards.' This is an agreement between the President and Miguel Vargas who, apparently, failed to consult his PRD party beforehand. More here: The President's justification and the pact itself can be seen at the third link. Dominican Watchdog
'Dominican Watchdog - the first consumer protection agency in the Dominican Republic needs help from the international press community to locate foreign investors from around the world who have been victims of real estate fraud in the Dominican Republic. Dominican Watchdog is a nonprofit consumer protection agency operating under a new trust and transparency program in collaboration with the European Union Commission and under the United Nations protocol against corruption and crime. We are urging property buyers, who have been victims of real estate fraud in the Dominican Republic, to come forward in an exposé of the deplorable condition for international real estate investors. Dominican Watchdog is preparing its first annual report on fraud and corruption in the Dominican real estate market, involving foreign investors from around the world.' The press release continues here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090511/bs_prweb/prweb2400024_3 http://www.prweb.com/releases/realestate/dominicanrepublic/prweb2400024.htm UN Investment Policy Review Of DR
'UNCTAD stresses in the IPR that the Government's vision of leading an economic transformation towards high-value-added manufacturing and services requires further changes. In particular, investment attraction will have to evolve from one based on abundance of a relatively low-cost labour supply and generous fiscal incentives to one based on the excellence of the investment climate and the quality of the country's infrastructure.' The full report is available at the second link. http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=4836&lang=1 Paya Case Put Back Until June
'Judge Bartolome Michel Castillo Sanchez, magistrate of the Court of Instruction for the Judicial District of Peravia, postponed the preliminary hearing that is being held for the 25 persons implicated by the Justice Department in the file of the Paya case that includes the murder of seven Colombians and the alleged theft of a stash of 1,300 kilograms of cocaine. After more than two hours of deliberations, Castillo Sanchez accepted the request for a part of those implicated, that demanded that the prosecutors turn over the evidence and that the judge reestablish the time limits so that the defense lawyers can prepare their case.' The story continues here: Long Distance Contract Gets Wrong Guys
'An upper Manhattan drug dealer used his cellphone as "a deadly weapon" to order his enemies assassinated back home in the Dominican Republic, prosecutors charged yesterday. Rafael "Rafi" Alvarez and his crew told hit men to kill four people, three of them over an 11-day period last year, said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan. But the hired guns mistakenly bumped off the wrong person once and accidentally shot an innocent couple riding a scooter.' Read on: http://www.nypost.com/seven/05122009/news/regionalnews/killer_dialed_long_distance_168826.htm http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/05/12/2009-05-12_city_drug_lord_charged_in_slays.html Investment In Banco León
'Darby, the private equity arm of Franklin Templeton Investments (NYSE: BEM), has disbursed an initial US$12mn of a two tranche investment in Dominican Republic bank Banco León through its second financial services fund, Darby-ProBanco Fund II. The fund's aggregate investment in Banco León could reach US$25mn, Darby said in a press release. Headquartered in Santo Domingo, Banco León is the fourth largest privately owned bank and the second largest credit card issuer in the Dominican Republic. Banco León is the commercial banking arm of Grupo Financiero León and maintains a strong presence throughout the country - with 71 branches and access to over 1,500 ATM machines. Banco León has a client base of over 200,000 customers distributed in corporate, retail and private banking.' The story continues: http://www.bnamericas.com/news/banking/Darby_invests_initial_US*12mn_in_Banco_Leon Caricom
'Caribbean Community (Caricom) heads are to once again consider an application from the Dominican Republic for membership in the 15-member grouping when they meet in July of this year. The issue, which was one of the major items up for mention at the 12th Meeting of Caricom's Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), has been referred to a technical team for further consideration. "There are a lot of issues to be addressed in the context of this relationship with the Dominican Republic, but the general spirit is yes. It is one of welcoming the Dominican Republic," said Jamaica's Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Kenneth . He was addressing a press conference at the Hilton Kingston Hotel after the two-day meeting ended yesterday.' More here: Mercantil Heads Imprisoned
'A tribunal sentenced the former president and vice president of a failed Dominican bank to prison terms for their role in its collapse, part of a 2003 banking crisis that hobbled the Caribbean nation's economy. Three judges sentenced former Banco Mercantil president Andres Aybar to five years in prison for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from the collapsed bank, while ex-vice president Evelyn Perez received three years. The pair, who did not speak to reporters outside the Santo Domingo court, were convicted earlier this year of embezzling money, falsifying documents and manipulating data to throw off government investigators.' The story continues: Successful Jaw Surgery
'A two-year medical journey for a young woman from the Dominican Republic has finally ended. Crisla Yosep Pie, called Lusila, met the media Thursday with her doctors after last week undergoing the final procedure to remove a massive tumor from her jaw. Now 20, Lusila, came here in 2007 with the help of the Episcopal Diocese of West Louisiana, her face badly disfigured by the tumor. Surgery was performed May 22, 2007, at Christus Schumpert St. Mary Place by oral and maxillofacial surgery specialists Drs. G.E. Ghali and David Kim.' More here: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090515/NEWS01/905150319/1060/NEWS01 Abortion Law A Dangerous Trend
'When the Dominican Republic's National Assembly voted in April 2009 to amend its constitution to include a right to life beginning at conception, the country continued a troubling trend among Latin American jurisdictions toward virtually eliminating women's recourse to safe abortion care. Under Dominican law, doctors who perform abortions -- and women who obtain them -- face harsh penalties, including prison sentences......This trend toward draconian abortion restrictions -- banning the procedure outright in places where it was already highly restricted -- ignores strong evidence from Latin America and other parts of the world showing that abortion rates are often as high, or higher, in countries where abortion is highly restricted as in those where it is broadly legal.' This thoughtful article comes highly recommended, please read on: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-l-camp/a-dangerous-trend-dominic_b_203459.html Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Plan To Rescue PP Centre Will Bring Financial Benefits - Weekend News May 10th. 2009
A study carried out by the Elliot School of International Affairs has demonstrated the financial and other benefits which the historical revitalisation of Puerto Plata city centre would bring. These benefits would accrue not just to the municipality but also to local businesses. However, the Director of the Dirección de http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2042&start=1 http://gstalliance.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85 Integracion Juvenil Opening
Cable Car Puerto Plata
Currently out of service due to engine maintenance, the cable car is due to reopen next Friday, si Dios quiere. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2066&start=1 Puerto Plata Police Case Rumbles On
The report produced by the Attorney General's office signals a turf war between two competing narcotrafficking gangs for control of drug selling in Puerto Plata province; these two gangs had military and police support but local Fiscals were not involved, according to the report. It was the Chief of Police apparently who fingered the Fiscals. Lots of very interesting readers' letters attached to the Clave Digital article. http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=18036 http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=17330 Costambar APC Wants Generadora Moved
Following the results of the Ministry of Environment's study into pollution in Costambar as described in last weekend's lead story, the APC are now requesting that the Generadora be relocated. This poses an interesting issue since local papers have recently covered the Ayuntamiento agreeing to the purchase, by the Generadora company, of land adjoining their existing site. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2047&start=1 Politur Breaks Taxi Windows In Cofresi
Friday May 1st. the Politur Commandante in Cofresi broke the windows of several taxis and now the taxi union are threatening legal proceedings. The taxistas had formed a blockade in Cofresi which Politur was called to handle. The taxistas object to Ocean World's ability to transport hotel guests to the Casino at night. Ocean World has a permit to do so, authorised by the transport section of the Ministry of Tourism. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2026&start=1 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2046&start=1 http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/empresaoceanworldnoseguira.htm http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/05/la-crisis-llego-tambien-ocean-world.html French Drug Baron In Puerto Plata Jail
Last weekend a French citizen of Turkish origen Akca Ilker Mazis alias 'El francés' was arrested in Santiago for having contracted to kill a Dominican in connection with the drugs industry. He was also wanted by Interpol in connection with drug offences in France. Allegedly he was responsible for shipping some 200 kilos monthly out of Santiago and Puerto Plata airports bound for Europe. He is being held in Puerto Plata jail prior to extradition to France. http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1858/Default.aspx http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/ladncdapresainversionistafugitivo.htm http://www.sosuaonline.net/DetailPost.aspx?postId=4795 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2035&start=1 30 Days Imprisonment For Cabarete Police
The police in charge of Cabarete police station when a prisoner was killed by a sister prisoner, have been imprisoned for 30 days on the orders of the Police Chief. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2045&start=1 The La Piedra Plans
Last Thursday a meeting took place between the commission set up by the tourist ministry to oversee the projected relocation, and local residents. Residents are particularly concerned that they should not be subjected to some of the issues which confronted the El Tablon residents: they asked that the new homes be larger than those at Villa Liberacion and that someone other than Kuky Silverio built them! http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/posibledesalojoprovocareunion.htm Sun Village Embargo
According to La Nacion Dominicana an embargo has been placed on the assets of Sun Village owners. This took place in a Santo Domingo Court on May 1st. http://www.lanaciondominicana.com/ver_noticia.php?id_noticia=8531&sesion_periodico=32 Reduction In HIV In DR
'The last decade has seen a sharp drop in HIV infections in the Dominican Republic, resulting largely from reductions in risky sexual behavior, according to a paper in a supplement to the May 1 issue of JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. JAIDS is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. The good news may be part of a broader downward trend in HIV prevalence in the Caribbean, although there is lingering concern over a likely "bisexual sub-epidemic" of HIV transmission among men having sex with men (MSM) in the Dominican Republic. Daniel T. Halperin, Ph.D., M.S., of Harvard University School of Public Health is lead author of the new report. Based on a review of the latest information on HIV-AIDS and related sexual behavior in the Dominican Republic, the researchers report an overall decline in HIV prevalence since the mid- to late 1990s. Among women seen at prenatal clinics, the infection rate decreased from two percent in 1995 to one percent in 2006. An even greater decrease was noted among young people aged 15 to 24: from two percent to 0.5 percent.' More here: DR Contract Killings Ordered From US Jails
'The murders "for hire" have resulted in several victims in the Dominican Republic and it has become a lucrative business that on many occasions is directed from the jails in the United States. Last year, in San Francisco de Macoris, Alexander Vargas Garcia, on 8 February 2008 and Francisco Apolinar Reynoso, eleven days later, were ordered killed by paid assassins that are currently in jail in New York. Likewise, Franklin Benjamin was killed in November of 2007, by hitmen that were following orders that came from overseas. In February of this year, relatives of young Sanyi Larisa Arache Castillo, murdered by several gunshots in Higuey, reported that they suspected that her death was "bought and paid for." Meanwhile, in March 2007, the National Police found the body of the Dominican-York Silverio Rosario, with a gunshot in the temple, tied to a palm tree in the Las Uvas section of La Vega. At the time this was called "a crime that was ordered." In November of 2008, the body of Antonio Ross was found burned nearly beyond recognition. His relatives had reported him missing just days before.' The list continues: 150 More Jobs
'Affiliated Computer Services Inc. has expanded its global work force by adding 150 new positions in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. With the hiring of these new employees, the ACS work force in Latin America and the Caribbean now exceeds 18,000. The Dallas-based company (NYSE: ACS) provides business process and information technology solutions to commercial and government clients. "With a highly skilled and multilingual work force, Latin America and the Caribbean are key growth areas for ACS," said Tom Blodgett, executive vice president and group president at ACS.' Read on: http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/05/04/daily17.html?ana=from_rss Decapitation
'Dominican police are investigating the decapitation of a migrant from neighboring Haiti. Police Maj. Jose Llubres says the victim's body was found Saturday in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of the capital, Santo Domingo. He says residents allege the victim killed a local merchant and police are investigating whether he was slain in revenge. The Foreign Ministry described the killings as an "incident between individuals" in a statement Tuesday. Haitian officials have called the migrant's killing barbarous and questioned whether Dominican police could have prevented it.' The gruesome story continues: 'Angry demonstrators hurled stones and tore down a sign at the Dominican Republic's embassy in Haiti on Friday to protest the decapitation of a Haitian in Santo Domingo. About 150 protesters massed outside the walled compounds of the neighboring country's embassy and nearby consulate, but Haitian police prevented them from entering. U.N. peacekeepers with riot gear waited nearby but did not enter the fray. Some protesters shoved pictures of the decapitated body of Carlos Nerilus, a migrant worker whose body was found Saturday, into the faces of Haitian police. "Justice for Carlos!" they shouted as they pushed at the human barricade.' More here: Home Raffle To Get To DR
'How would you like the chance to win a 2,100 sq. ft. house for $50? It has four bedrooms, two and a half baths, a deck and a basketball court. That’s the offer one Louisville couple is making. They’re raffling their house in Douglass Hills and the reason why sweetens the deal. “I grew up in LaGrange...” said Lindsey Tichenor. “And I’ve been here for 20 years... since 4th grade,” said her husband Bowin Tichenor. But Bowin and Lindsey Tichenor plan to leave it all behind—their home, their family and friends, even Louisville… for what they call a “much simpler life.” “I’m excited to leave the busy American life for a little bit. Just all the stuff we accumulate, I’m excited to get rid of it,” said Lindsey. And the Tichenors found a unique way to unload their “stuff...” “We are raffling our house and moving to the Dominican Republic.” They hope to sell 10,000 tickets at $50 each. The lucky winner will get their 2100 sq. ft. home in Douglass Hills. But this lottery isn’t about moving to the beach; the Tichenors are missionaries with the local organization, Edge Outreach. And the move is permanent.' Read on: http://www.whas11.com/news/local/stories/050809whascwTopHouse.92f5148.html?npc DR Telecoms Research Report
'Although enjoying a relatively modern and mostly digital telecom system, the Dominican Republic’s fixed-line teledensity is well below the Latin American average. Mobile penetration is nearly seven times higher than fixed-line teledensity, and is about average for Latin America. The Dominican Republic’s income inequalities are still reflected in its telephone distribution; some people own multiple mobile phones each, yet there are communities comprising hundreds of families without access to a single phone line. The Dominican Republican government has been aggressively addressing the issue of access with a number of projects and a major broadband deployment partnership with incumbent Codetel. Following the economic recovery of 2005-2007, investments in emerging services such as wireless broadband and VoIP gathered pace. This report contains overviews, analyses and statistics of the Dominican Republic’s fixed-line, mobile and broadband markets. The report also discussed convergence issues and provides forecasts of broadband and mobile phone subscriber growth.' More here: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/55fb50/dominican_republic Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Contamination In Costambar - Weekend News May 3rd. 2009
Finally after seven years of meetings, complaints and the evidence which daily presents itself to the residents of Costambar and Cofresi, a study carried out by the Ministry of the Environment after six months of measured monitoring, has confirmed that the air pollution from the Generadora is above the 10% permitted. The Ministry of the Environment will be enforcing emission reductions by obliging the Generadora to comply with Ministry norms. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2017&start=1 Extortion By Cabarete Police
Frankely Rodríguez Brito, who has owned a gift shop in Cabarete for 22 years, recently went to the police with his brother to report a robbery which had happened to one of his relatives. A simple matter? Not really. Rodriguez was detained, accused of kidnapping the brother who accompanied him to lodge the robbery complaint. According to Rodriguez he was subjected to considerable pressure to pay over a sum of money to facilitate his release and was detained for several hours. He refused to pay and was sent to the Fiscal in Puerto Plata who questioned him and, on hearing his story, immediately released him. There could be a lot more to this story but it is worth bearing in mind next time you are tempted to report a crime to the police! http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/mayo2009/empresarioturisticoacusapolicia.htm Corruption In Luperon?
Stefan Covents, yacht owner in Luperon, has criticised the level of extortion by Migracion in that area. He said that many yacht owners who know Luperon to be one of the safest harbours in the Caribbean would make more use of it were it not for the shakedowns they are subjected to. He feels that usage and thus income for locals would triple were it not for the extortion. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2001&start=1 Strike Called Off
The strike planned for Cabarete on Wednesday and Thursday was called off at the eleventh hour and businesses have given the council a month in which to meet their demands, according to El Nuevo Norte. SosuaonLine says it is two months. http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/397/ItemID/1833/Default.aspx http://www.sosuaonline.net/DetailPost.aspx?postId=4657 http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/abril2009/ponenfinllanmadohuelgacomunidad.htm Playa Dorada Hotel Closing May To November
According to Puerto Plata Habla more than one hundred employees have been laid off at Playa Dorada Hotel which is due to close on May 5th. for remodelling. The paper says that the hotel will reopen in November. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2000&start=1 Cabarete Prisoner Killed By Another Prisoner
Last weekend a young woman was rounded up in the usual police sweeps and on being found to have no identification was detained at Cabarete police station. Unfortunately her cellmate had a knife and fatally stabbed the young woman. A second lieutenant and two sergeants responsible for the jail have been arrested. Video at the first link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDivcfKVDOE http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1824/Default.aspx http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/abril2009/reclusamatajovenceldaprision.htm http://www.sosuaonline.net/DetailPost.aspx?postId=4636 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1832/Default.aspx http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1993&start=1 Breezes Reverts To Sol De Plata
'The Breezes Puerto Plata Resort will close for the summer on May 1 and will no longer operate under the Breezes flag. The resort will be renamed Sol de Plata Beach Resort & Spa. SuperClubs, owner of the Breezes brand, is in negotiations regarding the extension of its resort management contract. Customers will be accommodated at another Puerto Plata property. They can rebook at another Breezes resort in the Caribbean or cancel, but SuperClubs won’t cover the cost of changing or canceling air bookings.' Hotel staff say no-one has told them what is happening and those who have worked on site for more than two years say they have been fired without the payment of liquidation money, according to Puerto Plata Habla. El Nuevo Norte says that more than 350 staff have been laid off for a period of three months and that they were required to sign a document absolving the hotel; failure to do so would mean no return to work after three months. But staff are worried that there are no guarantees of future employment. http://www.caribbeannewsdigital.com/en/news//14306/breezes_drops_puerto_plata_resort_from_portfolio http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1823/Default.aspx http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=2015&start=1 http://www.sosuaonline.net/DetailPost.aspx?postId=4719 http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1845/Default.aspx Cabarete Kiteboarding World Cup June 9-14
The Kiteboarding World Cup will be held in Cabarete from June 9th. to 14th. This is one of eight stops on the PKRA (Professional Kiteboard Riders Association) 2009 World Tour. It has been held annually in Cabarete since the inception of the event in 2001. In 2007, Ariel Corniel, was the first Dominican ever to win the prestigious event. In 2008 Kevin Langeree added a second win to his first in 2006. Swine Flu Not Yet In DR
'The Dominican Republic does not have sufficient material to carry out the clinical tests for the swine flu virus, a pandemic that the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised to a level 5 of 6. In view of this situation, the head of Public Health reported that they are acquiring more samples in order to carry out the tests for the virus in case it is necessary, and that they have an important amount of these (He did not give any numbers) ready to be used. Along this line of thinking, the minister called the reporter's attention to the fact that the tests for the virus must follow the international protocol, and carried out on those who have been in contact with infected persons and that present the symptoms of the illness that has killed 159 Mexicans, of which 22 have been confirmed as swine flu. The samples that are taken from people are of secretions. One of the first people to be tested was young Irma Jimenez Chaparro, 23, from Mexico, who was interned in the Corazones Unidos Clinic with suspicious symptoms of possible swine flu. The analysis of the sample from Jimenez Chaparro was done in the laboratories of the Center for Medical Education and Dominican-Japanese Friendship (Cemadoja) and the results were negative.' The story continues in the English language version of Diario Libre: DR Weightlifter Denies Drug Findings
'A Dominican weightlifter who finished fifth in the Beijing Games has denied using a banned substance to improve her performance. The Dominican Olympic Committee says Yudelquis Contreras is one of six athletes who tested positive for CERA. It boosts endurance by increasing production of oxygen-rich red blood cells. But the 24-year-old says she is clean.' More here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/159258/Dominican-Republic-weightlifter-denies-using-banned-substance Calling Gifted Teenagers
'Clements International is offering a new scholarship program for expatriate students. US$10,000 will be shared between six winning students, aged 12-18, of any nationality, who have spent at least two years living outside of their home country. The scholarship contest offers expat students a chance to share their experiences of living in a foreign country through an essay (500 words or more) and creative media (photographs, illustrations, paintings or video).' Closing date is May 15th. Details here: Metro Lands To Be Paid For By Private Sector
'It will be the private sector that will pay the cost of the lands that are being expropriated for the second phase of the Santo Domingo Metro that will extend from Los Alcarrizos to San Luis. This aspect was cleared up yesterday by the director of the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation (OPRET), Diandino Peña, as he was interviewed at the Presidential Palace. Last Monday, the Diario Libre published the contents of Decree 691-09 that declared 20 parcels of land in Los Alcarrizos to be of public domain and dedicated for use in the rail yards, workshops and train stations.' Read on: Medical Mission To DR
'Medical personnel from the 910th Airlift Wing had their bags packed and ready to go Sunday morning. The 35-person team is embarking on a medical mission to the Dominican Republic, where they will provide citizens there with free family, dental and eye care. For some, it's another chance to utilize their skills overseas. "I feel ready to roll. I have some new ideas how to do a better job taking care of patients, streamlining the process, so I'm excited to put some new ideas into action," said Col. Christopher Rugaber, an optometrist on his third medical mission.' The story continues: Haitian Political Asylum Seeker Killed
'Immigration Director Jack Thompson has promised to look into claims that a Haitian man, reportedly seeking political asylum in The Bahamas, was gunned down in the Dominican Republic after his application was denied and he was forced to leave The Bahamas. In a statement sent to The Nassau Guardian yesterday, President of the Haitian Bahamian Society of The Bahamas Jetta Baptiste alleged that Anderson Pierre, a 37-year-old father of four, died on Saturday after being shot on Friday. As a result of the Immigration Department's alleged rejection of Pierre's application, Baptiste is demanding that the government conduct an immediate investigation into the application process. She also issued an urgent plea to members of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to look into Pierre's death.' More here: http://www.thenassauguardian.net/national_local/211137965619889.php Another Eye-Opening Trip
'A handful of Chatham teenagers have returned from a Caribbean visit with a new outlook on life. Eight students from Ursuline College Chatham and two teachers spent a week in Consuelo, Dominican Republic, living and eating with locals. The students and teachers -- Chris Gutteridge, who teaches religion and Patricia Pook, an English teacher -- were billeted with families in the tiny, coastline community. "I learned you don't have to be rich or own lots of things to be happy in life,'' said 17-year-old Taylor Imeson, a Grade 12 student and one of the participants in the venture. Imeson said young people she encountered in Consuelo were "always happy and have plenty of friends.'' Eighteen-year-old Samantha Remington, a Grade 12 student, said the students cried when it was time to leave for home. "We had just a great time with great people,'' she said. "They had very little in the way of worldly items, but gave us so much in kindness and love.'' ' The story continues: Happy Expat Is A Puppy
'Watching Piggy bounce playfully down Third Ave. the other day, it was hard to believe just a month ago the energetic mutt was a stray on the streets in the Dominican Republic. There, the terrified puppy was found emaciated, covered with ticks and maggots, had a shabby excuse for fur and a large open wound on his hind leg. But today, the sweet, 7-month-old border collie/Australian shepherd mix is spending his days romping through Central Park and exploring his new digs on the upper East Side. Despite losing his hind leg, Piggy now has a new shiny coat, lots of new friends, a steady supply of food and a loving home that he shares with three cats. "The transformation he's gone through is amazing," said Piggy's owner, Tod Emko, who fell in love with the sickly pup while volunteering in the Dominican Republic with the nonprofit group Animal Balance.' Read on: Cap Cana Results Of Exchange Offer
'Cap Cana, S.A. announced today that as of 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2009 under the Company's exchange offer and consent solicitation originally announced on March 31, 2009, as subsequently amended, an aggregate of approximately US$235,271,000 (or approximately 95.46%) aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding 9.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 were validly tendered and not withdrawn. Taking account of US$3,550,000 of Existing Notes held by Cap Cana in its account, the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes effectively outstanding as of the Expiration Date was US$246,450,000. The Company will accept on the date of Settlement of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation all Existing Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation.' More here: Sankie Immigration Fraud
'Cindy Green met her husband in the lobby of a Dominican Republic hotel: She was on vacation, he was on shift. There was chemistry, and the two would go dancing at a local discotheque. Ms. Green, a Toronto child-care worker, returned home single but soon racked up a hefty Visa bill, visiting the man every three months. After 19 months of long-distance dating, they wed in October, 2004, in the Dominican (Republic). He landed in Toronto that December, securing permanent-resident status, as well as a social-insurance number and a health card through his marriage. Shortly after he got his cards, Ms. Green says, her husband started picking fights. She wrote it off as an adjustment phase. He was experiencing his first Canadian winter, after all. But after she refused to send money to a family minding his apartment in the Dominican, her husband grew abnormally angry. Several days later, he disappeared.' More on how sankie spouses are fighting back here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090430.wlmarriage30art1743/BNStory/lifeFamily/ Book News
May 2009: Ginnie's second book is now available. This is an ebook commissioned by Boomerscape.com Retire in the Dominican Republic Survival Kit and is available here: http://www.dominicanretirementguide.com/
A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Remembering The Revolution - Weekend News April 26th. 2009
http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1976&start=1 http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/politica/politica.aspx?Id_Articulo=7462 Costa Esmeralda Keeps Out Local Press?
Members of the local press were apparently kept out of the Costa Esmeralda ground breaking ceremony last Sunday. It would appear that the Ministry of Tourism wished to reserve this event for their own press people. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1964&start=1 http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/04/periodistas-turisticos-quillaos-con.html Puerto Plata Drop In Tourism
In the last ten years Puerto Plata has lost half of its tourist numbers. In 1999 Puerto Plata received 30.79% of all tourists arriving in the DR whereas by 2008 that figure was 14.14%. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1968&start=1 ILO Labour Violations In DR
According to an ILO (International Labour Organisation) report, the DR is one of the worst offenders in the region when it comes to labour rights. Although the country has signed up to conventions on freedom to unionise and collective bargaining, there appear to be many complaints that such agreements are not being met. Italian Killed In Casa De Campo
Last Monday the body of Italian Pierluigi María Luigi Lucibello Piani, 70, was found in his residence in Casa de Campo, with knife and other wounds. Police have distributed the photo at the link as the person they are looking for, as well as the deceased's gardener. Economic Growth LA And Caribbean
'Latin America and the Caribbean will have negative growth of -0.3% in 2009, the region's first setback after six years of continuous growth. Unemployment in the region will rise to almost 9%, from the nearly 7.5% in 2008, increasing poverty. The effects of the international crisis will impact the region harshly this year, said ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena during the Latin America Emerging Markets Forum 2009 which opened today in Bogotá, Colombia. Those worst hit will be Mexico, (-2.0%), Brazil (-1.0%), Costa Rica (-0.5%) and Paraguay (-0.5%), while Panama, Peru, Cuba and Bolivia will maintain positive growth of 3.0% or over. Ecuador and Chile will experience zero growth during 2009, says ECLAC. The negative effects of the crisis are reflected in declining international trade and falling commodity prices, with which the region's terms of trade will decrease 15%. There will also be a sharp drop in exports -particularly affecting countries with open economies such as Central American nations and Mexico-, lower remittances, less tourism-related income -especially in the Caribbean and Central America-, and diminishing flows of foreign direct investment.' The DR is expected to show a GDP growth of 1.5% as per the diagram at the second link. http://www.eclac.org/prensa/noticias/comunicados/4/35634/growthAL2009_CP010409_ing.pdf Amnesty International's Response To Article 30
'Constitutional and legal reforms now underway in the Dominican Republic could lead to violations of women's human rights, Amnesty International warned today. The measures may be used as justification for criminalising abortion in all circumstances, including where the life or health of the woman is at risk or where the pregnancy is the result of rape. The Congress is considering a new constitutional provision that includes a reference to the inviolability of the right to life "from conception to death". The constitutional amendment is widely thought to have been introduced to bolster efforts to criminalize and prohibit abortion in all cases. The Dominican Congress is also considering an amendment to the penal code which would increase the penalties for persons involved in carrying out an abortion and explicitly providing for the imprisonment of women pregnant as a result of rape, incest or involuntary assisted fertilization who seek or cause their own termination of pregnancy.' The story continues: http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGAMR270032009&lang=e&rss=recentnews Paya Case 14th. May
The Paya case will begin hearings on May 14th. According to Senator Wilton Guerrero the masterminds behind the operation are yet to be arrested. http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=196785 http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=17912 Unsolved Police Commission Cases
'The chief of police has designated nearly half a hundred commissions to resolve important crimes committed by organized crime, and, as of now, they have not worked, because the majority of cases continue in limbo in dusty files of the investigators. Among these files is the death of engineer Hector Ortega Castillo, murdered by an unknown person in the gym at the Jaragua Hotel, and whose family demanded that the chief of police clear up the crime and say who bought the weapon that was used to kill the professional. Other cases remain in the dead files of the institution, in the hope that they will be solved by the commissions that were designated. The case of Army First Lieutenant Guillermo Tejeda, killed by several gunshots from unknown persons on 5 March 2008 in his hometown of San Cristobal, requires a immediate solution by the authorities. Up until now, this case is stalled and the investigators say that more than 200 police from the intelligence unit are chasing two persons whose names are known to the authorities.' The story continues: Anti-Hacking In DR
'A network of mystery hackers, most based in China, have been making 70,000 attempts a day to break into the NYPD's computer system, the city's top cop revealed Wednesday. Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the perpetrators have yet to succeed, but their relentless activities have prompted the force to raise its guard against high-tech crime....Kelly said he suspects his department is being targeted by foreign hackers because it's beefed up operations in the international arena since the 9/11 attacks. "We are constantly studying events worldwide and assessing their implications for New York," said Kelly, adding that the NYPD now has officers stationed in Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Great Britain, France, Spain, Canada and the Dominican Republic.' Read on: No More Breasts Or Toshibas
'Names like "Dummy Ruiz" and "Dear Pineapple" might become a thing of the past in the Dominican Republic as officials consider a ban on odd names. Officials say Dominicans are increasingly giving their children names that are car brands, cartoon characters or even body parts, and a judge has submitted a proposal to the Central Electoral Commission limiting such names. Examples of strange names in the nation's civil registry include Mazda Altagracia, Toshiba Fidelina, Seno Jimenez (Breast Jimenez), Querida Pina (Dear Pineapple), Tonton Ruiz (Dummy Ruiz) and Querido Familia Perez (Dear Family Perez). Other names put a spin on the famous, like Winston Churchill de la Cruz or Ernesto Che Perez, the latter a nod to the late Latin American revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara. Others refer to drugs, such as Rambo Mota (Rambo Pot). Electoral commission judge Jose Angel Aquinas, who submitted the proposal, wrote that names should be rejected that are confusing or that give no indication of gender. He added that vulgar names, those having more than three words or those difficult to pronounce (unless they are of children born to foreigners) should be banned.' More here: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/04/22/increase-odd-names-leads-dr-consider-ban/ Mitt By Mitt
'Whenever I write about global poverty, I'm deluged by readers with variants of a single question: What can I do? It's a vexing query, partly because thousands of excellent aid groups compete for your checkbook, and I don't feel qualified to make endorsements - even if I were a philanthropic adviser, which I'm certainly not. That said, let me tell you about my own visit recently to Yuneiris, a boy in the Dominican Republic (who has just turned 6 years old - happy birthday, Yuneiris!). I've sponsored him since 2004 through Plan USA, a major aid group, and since I was in Haiti on a reporting trip I arranged a visit while I was in the neighborhood.' The story continues: http://www.indianagazette.com/articles/2009/04/23/opinions/syndicated_columnists/10014507.txt US Navy Ops For DR Children
'Rosa Mendez is hopeful that the doctors from the United States Navy will operate on the hernias that her 18 month old baby and her six year old daughter have for free. In the country they charge RD$3000 for each of the surgeries. In a combination of English with Spanish yesterday dozens of persons waited like she did in the Damas Diplomaticas School in Los Tres Brazos to see whether the surgeons will give her the "yes". If it is affirmative, the children will be taken aboard the USNSS Comfort that is anchored next to the Malecon in Santo Domingo, where the operations will take place in one of the five operating rooms that are available'. More here: Medical Help
'Since 2002, members of Christ Church Christiana Hundred have traveled to a small sugar cane village near San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic, where they've laid block and mixed mortar to erect a community center. About 80 church members have visited the village of Jalonga, many developing a fondness for Dr. Carolina Roberts, a woman of Dominican descent, whose father, the Rev. Jose Roberts, is an Episcopal priest with a Hispanic ministry near Providence, R.I. A medical school student in the Dominican Republic who graduated last year, Carolina, 25, has acted as a translator for members of the Episcopal church in Greenville during their weeklong missions.' The story continues: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090425/LIFE/904250306/1005/LIFE Managing Without Spanish
'On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, I swam, tanned and relaxed among the calm waters of the Caribbean. The only thing calmer and more refreshing than the physical setting was the generosity and hospitality of the Dominicans who worked at the resort where my family stayed. After taking an hour drive outside the resort, I understood why the resort staff was probably so happy to be working around the clock. Poverty was intense and all-consuming for the natives. People zipped from hut to hut on mopeds and children roamed the streets. But back on the resort, I experienced a unique connection with the islanders that led me to appreciate their culture and way of living and allowed me to communicate with them in meaningful ways. And we didn't even speak the same language.' Read on: Budget For UK Expats
'A new campaign to squeeze tens of millions of pounds in unpaid tax from people with offshore bank accounts has been launched by the government. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) used the 2009 Budget to announce a new "offshore disclosure opportunity". It will run until March 2010 and prompt people with money in offshore accounts to confess if they have failed to pay any tax on their interest. The Revenue's first campaign in 2007 raised £450m from 45,000 people. That targeted offshore accounts held by the UK's big High Street banks. Last year, the HMRC said its second campaign would be aimed at 300 or so smaller banks and building societies which also have offshore operations. The HMRC's efforts followed a legal breakthrough which gave it the power to demand that banks reveal the identify of all their UK citizens with accounts held abroad.' More here: Book News
Breaking News! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now on sale at the Fine Gift Centre on 12 de Julio in Puerto Plata. The Fine Gift Centre is opposite RUSA exchange house and one block past the Post Office on 12 de Julio. Yet a further outlet! A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Three Canadian Hell's Angels Arrested in Cabarete - Weekend News April 19th. 2009
Homes in Royal Residences, Condominio Sol Bonito in La Rinconada, Casa Linda, and Jardín Deportivo, Cabarete were searched.Two Canadians were arrested and according to El Nuevo Norte they are Steve Rainville and Marc Readman, allegedly wanted in connection with 22 murders and drug trafficking. On Thursday a third Canadian, Aurele Brouillete, was arrested. All three were repatriated to Canada on Saturday. A list of the names of all 156 arrestees appears at final two links. http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=148274 http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/9/20090416/twl-autoridades-detienen-otro-canadiense-6aad12c.html http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1773/Default.aspx http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1767/Default.aspx http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1766/Default.aspx http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1913&start=1 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1902&start=1 http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Public-Safety-Canada-975624.html http://news.therecord.com/article/521154 http://www.haitipressnetwork.com/news.cfm?articleID=11039 http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/mauricie/2009/02/10/004-hells-republique_n.shtml http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-nouvelliste/mauricie/200904/16/01-847127-quel-avenir-pour-le-bunker.php http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-nouvelliste/mauricie/200904/16/01-847107-operation-printemps-2009.php http://www.geocities.com/wiseguywally/RowdyCrewLanaudiere.html 39 Arrested In Puerto Plata
Thirty nine people were arrested in Puerto Plata on Friday - the majority motoconchistas at the concho stop behind La Sirena. Four Molotov cocktails and four boxes of rocks were also sequestered. Costa Del Crim In Sosua And Cabarete
A retired DNI agent has identified Sosua and Cabarete as a sanctuary for international crooks. He told Puerto Plata Habla that in the last few years some 80 dangerous foreigners had been apprehended and extradited. The agent wishes to remain anonymous for reasons of security. Meanwhile in a separate incident Listin Diario is reporting on a gang of foreign credit card fraudsters comprised of Nigerians, Russians, Colombians and Venezuelans. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1909&start=1 Cabarete Huelga 29th. & 30th.
Cabarete is likely to be on shutdown on April 29th. and 30th. as businesses close in protest against abusive local charges imposed by the town council. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1910&start=1 http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayuntamiento-cabarete-esta-alejando.html Arrests For Kidnapping
Two Dominican sisters aged 20 and 21 years were allegedly kidnapped in Torre Alta, Puerto Plata last Thursday. Their mother lives in Germany and received a demand for 20,000 Euros. Two men have now been detained. Breaking News, Sunday: Police have now revealed that this was a self-kidnapping, orchestrated by the sisters and their boyfriends, to extract money from their mother. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1920&start=1 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1917&start=1 http://elnacional.com.do/nacional/2009/4/17/13276/Denuncian-secuestro-de-dos-hermanas American Injures Two Haitians
Last Saturday US citizen Frederick Williams Baugart, 55, a resident of Cofresi, injured two Haitian residents of Montellano is a road accident. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1873&start=1 Narco Captured On Cabarete Beach
Holy Saturday apparently saw a bit of a scuffle on Cabarete beach when the assistant of a narcotrafficker was arrested by police with a bullet in his head (conveniently not stating how it got there!). It is not clear from reports whether this was the beach at Cabarete or at Sabaneta. Either way, it would not exactly have been deserted on Easter Saturday! http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1754/Default.aspx http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1870&start=1 http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/abril2009/arrestanfugitivomatootropor.htm Cabarete Invaded For Easter
Pictures of the throngs of people who invaded Cabarete for Easter. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sacandomelao/sets/72157616648399404/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/sacandomelao/sets/72157616559082241/ Cibao And North Coast Layoffs
Metaldom, Grupo Ramos and others laid off a total of 900 workers last week. On top of this there are fears that some north coast hotels will convert to the condo model with resultant layoffs of hotel staff. http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1758/Default.aspx Condo Holiday In Cofresi
'Every morning we woke up to a home-made Huevos Rancheros or breakfast burritos, or some other Dominican dish -- and every evening we came home to dinner waiting in the oven, everything from exotic local dishes to fried chicken with rice and beans. We also had a concierge who would come by our unit to help us arrange day trips and tell us about his country and his family over afternoon drinks on the balcony. And our own personal driver gave us a cellphone so we could call him to pick us up any time, day or night --and he even came out with us at night, at no extra cost, to act as our personal bodyguard/dance instructor. But the best part of this arrangement was that it was cost-efficient.' The holiday story continues: http://www.canoe.ca/Travel/Caribbean/2009/03/12/8765626-sun.html Elliotts Case Goes To April 20th
The injunction freezing Elliott assets in the Turks and Caicos has been rescinded. Turks and Caicos Chief Justice Gordon Ward adjourned the case until April 20th. for delivery of his written reasons. http://news.therecord.com/article/519618 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1898&start=1 http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/abril2009/cortejusticiaislasturcas.htm http://www.ratupdate.com/Gold%20april%2015%20order.pdf http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?s=99da783aae818aefd546c9b668d711d3&t=38466&page=13 Real Baninter Story
Destined to become a best seller Todas las Posibilidades by Freddy Aguasvivas tells the real Baninter story. Its unexpurgated nature clearly caused a reaction from Pepe Goico who marched to Z-101 radio station when the author was being interviewed and demanded to be heard. Goico was interviewed in a separate studio. http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=17674 http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/04/debatef-caliente-en-la-z-101-con-pp.html http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/04/audio-fuertes-declaraciones-de-cosas.html http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/04/audio-mas-sobre-el-fuerte-debate-entre.html Panic In Punta Cana
'A group of Canadian tourists on a Conquest Vacation in the Dominican Republic are terrified they are about to be thrown out of their hotel mid-vacation. Toronto resident Maria Santos called the Sun today just minutes before a deadline hotel management had given her to either pay cash for her pre-paid vacation room or be locked out. Santos, 43, said she can't pay the $56 per night the Punta Cana hotel is demanding to continue her vacation until April 21. "It's a lot of stress," she said. "The hotel wants to kick us out. "I was dreaming for 20 years of this vacation!" Santos, her 73-year-old mother and her daughter, were enjoying the vacation up until Conquest folded Wednesday. Hundreds of Canadians had their travel plans thrown for a loop when Conquest shut down without warning. A telephone line for the company was not in service yesterday.' The story and readers' comments continues: http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/04/17/9147366.html Secretary Clinton To DR
'En route to this weekend's 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stopped off in the Dominican Republic to conduct her first digital town hall meeting. There, she will be answering questions that have been submitted to her online. According to the White House blog, Secretary Clinton will be discussing "the Summit's themes of securing our citizens' future by promoting human prosperity, energy security and environmental sustainability." ' More at the first link. Secretary Clinton's speech in the DR is at the second link. President Fernandez's comments are on VOA at the third link. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20090416/wl_ynews/ynews_wl302_4 http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/04/121847.htm http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-17-voa33.cfm http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090413/pl_afp/americassummittrinidadusclinton_20090413191326 Bikes For The Poor
'A McGregor man recently died at the age of 98 with one worry — what would become of more than 100 bicycles he had lovingly restored. That question will soon to be put to rest, when they're shipped out to needy people in the Dominican Republic. Antoine Gagnon was 98 when he died March 31 — of “old age,” according to Petesy Wray, the 14th of his 15 children. Wray, 48, said her father, who enjoyed fixing cars, attended the University of Ottawa in the 1930s and was “very mechanically minded,” but when the technology in the auto industry became too advanced, he turned to bikes and lawn mowers. Wray said that after his wife's death in 2004, her father displayed incredible resilience. He remained in his home, with the help of family, and fixed his bikes. He only stopped fixing bikes last year.' The story continues here: http://www.windsorstar.com/Antoine+Gagnon+legacy+bikes+poor/1490111/story.html World Bank Study On The Caribbean
'The Report 'Caribbean: Accelerating Trade Integration. Policy Options for Sustained Growth, Job Creation, and Poverty Reduction' presented today at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Committee on Trade and Development, acknowledges the region’s efforts in pursuing an external trade policy over the past three decades anchored on preferential access to the European and North American markets, but stresses that the Caribbean’s integration into the world economy has been slow and compares poorly with some Asian countries with similar levels of integration 30 years ago.' More here: DR Supports Korean Reunification
' Leonel Antonio Fernandez Reyna, president of the Dominican Republic who is chairman of the Dominican Liberation Party, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea on March 29. The president noted that Dominica (it says!) established friendly relations with the DPRK long ago and has since developed them'. Read on: http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2009/200904/news12/20090412-09ee.html Casa Rosada Has New Wing
'Today, 4Life Research(TM) announced the completion of its La Casa Rosada (The Pink House Orphanage) expansion project in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Foundation 4Life, a not-for-profit entity established by 4Life and dedicated to philanthropic activity in communities wherever 4Life distributors conduct business around the world, broke ground on the addition three years ago. Foundation 4Life activities range from small scale, distributor-driven and employee-organized weekend community events to larger, national relief efforts and international humanitarian campaigns. 4Life Research underwrites all operational expenses of Foundation 4Life so 100% of all money raised goes directly to the causes that Foundation 4Life supports. Since the inaugural donation of $75,000, 4Life distributors and employees have donated more than a quarter million dollars and many hours of service to complete the La Casa Rosada expansion project. A special ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completed addition will be held on April 14 at the orphanage'. The story continues here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Foundation-4LifeR-Completes-iw-14917007.html Missions On The Edge
'On March 2, 2009 Dr. David Walden (President and Founder of MOTE Inc., USA and its International Non-Profit Organization, Fundacion MOTE Dominicana ) met with Dr. Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez (Director General de Prisiones in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) through the recommendation of Superior Court Judge, Lic. Rafael Baez Garcia and the Department of Social Services. The purpose of this meeting was to allow Director General Sanchez an opportunity to review and evaluate MOTE's Christ Centered Prisoner Rehabilitation Program that was launched at La Victoria Prison in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic in 2007. The comprehensive Christ centered rehabilitation program in La Victoria prison was developed by Dr. Walden and modeled after the proven program currently operating at La Mesa Prison in Tijuana, one of the most brutal and darkest prisons in Mexico.' More here: Working With Orphans
'The moment Brenda Leenders held her hand out to a young, malnourished child in a Dominican Republic orphanage, she began to cry. “I compare Lizbeth to a two-year-old ... she’s eight and under 20 pounds. It’s a miracle she is alive,” said Leenders, who was one of 17 people from Truro who visited the orphanage for two weeks last month. Lizbeth was born with cerebral palsy and mental disabilities, her mother was addicted to drugs and had HIV AIDS.' The story continues here: Book News
Breaking News! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now on sale at the Fine Gift Centre on 12 de Julio in Puerto Plata. The Fine Gift Centre is opposite RUSA exchange house and one block past the Post Office on 12 de Julio. Yet a further outlet! A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html A Cautionary Tale For Tourists - Easter Weekend News April 11th. 2009
The observant will notice that this news bulletin has fewer items than usual. This is due to the reporter's household having other priorities for at least four days of this past week. A British tourist staying at a hotel in Playa Dorada apparently went missing causing concern amongst the man's travelling companions, one of whom knows this reporter. There were some suspicious circumstances which did not add up: last Monday night he spent away from the hotel with a young woman he had met, returning briefly on Tuesday morning to collect his passport and money. An hour or so after he had left the hotel, the girl turned up asking if he had been able to book a room for her as promised. Then for three days his travelling companions received no messages or visits from him and naturally asked for assistance in locating him or discovering whether he had had an accident. Concern was heightened because this was the tourist's first visit to the DR and he was unaware as to the sort of events which can befall unwary tourists who have a passport and credit card in their possession in a non-tourist part of town. The recent case of missing American Jack Phillips who was eventually discovered murdered and buried in cement beneath the flooring of his house, could not have been far from most people's minds. To summarise a long week (!) the combined operation included the British Embassy, ourselves, the tour company management, the police and hotel staff and management. Eventually on Friday morning the missing tourist made contact with the hotel. His story was that he had phoned and left a message for his friends (which they had never received). Distinctly possible but unlikely to ever be admitted to by the hotel. Either way, the moral is clear: tourists wishing to absent themselves from their hotels should make sure that someone knows exactly where they are and they should inform their friends personally. Oh, think twice, it's just another day for you and me in Paradise, sang Phil Collins. In this case thinking once would have been helpful! This news bulletin would like to wish all of its readers a happy and peaceful Easter. 30 Peso Parking In Cabarete
Cabarete's District Council appears to have imposed a parking charge for those parking vehicles in Cabarete, prior to visiting the beach. The charge is RD$30 per hour. Lots of unhappy Easter bunnies! http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/abril2009/cobroparqueovehiculosprovoca.htm http://elnuevonorte.com/Inicio/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/486/ItemID/1752/Default.aspx Sun Village Depositions
On March 29th. this news bulletin reported on the Sun Village lawsuit (full story at the second link). Now video evidence of depositions by one of the defendants is available. It makes for interesting viewing! Sosua Ambulance And Firetruck Saga Continues
'D.C. Council members are investigating an attempt to donate the city's used emergency vehicles to the Dominican Republic. Council members Phil Mendelson and Mary Cheh say they believe Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's administration authorized an emergency rule change to transfer a fire truck and ambulance to the nonprofit group Peaceoholics. They say the change allowed the group to receive and handle surplus property. Peaceoholics then sent the vehicles to a town in the Dominican Republic.' More at the first link. The background story appeared in last week's news which is at the second link: Long Distance Hold Up
Police have arrested a group of five assailants who entered the home of Hanói Walderstrudis Reina in Torre Alta, demanding US$200,000 for her safe release. Her husband in England sent US$20,000. Apparently this group have performed similar acts in the past. Costa Esmeralda
http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1843&start=1 Delay On Paya Case
The Attorney General is seeking a 90 day delay on the hearing of the Paya case. The reason cited is 'lack of evidence' because neither the drugs nor the money have been located. Presumably the seven dead bodies are insufficient evidence? http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=147097 http://elnacional.com.do/nacional/2009/4/9/12685/Cae-caso-Paya-por-falta-de-acusacion Dominican Republic Events 2009-2010
'Whether you enjoy dancing with the devils at Carnival celebrations in Santo Domingo, La Vega, Punta Cana or Santiago, dancing the night away at Merengue festivals or delighting in the Dominican Republic's (DR) winter season baseball line-up, this amazing country has it all.' The press release announces upcoming events in the DR from April 2009 to April 2010 and gives links to the websites describing the various happenings: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dominican-Republic-Events-prnews-14866674.html Miches Killings
'The tragedy that happened last Tuesday on some land in the community of Lisa in Miches, that left five dead and several wounded, might have been originated by the efforts made by so-called "land-hunters", lawyers that incite rural squatters to seek negotiated settlements with the real owners of the land. The business rests on a quirk of the Penal Process Code that modified the laws on property invasions and now private individuals can no longer complain to the National Police or the District Attorney until a judge decides, because it is a private matter. This allows unscrupulous lawyers known as "land-hunters" to get rural farmers to occupy the land and then force the real owners to negotiate on the pretext that the land doesn't really belong to them. This happens when there are foreign investors that involve millions of dollars and are paying US$35 per square meter. The lands in dispute, and that caused the five deaths, are registered under the name of Blaudillo Nuñez C. x A. since 1985. The title is number 85-13 according to what Diario Libre has discovered.' The story continues in the English language version of Diario Libre: Boat Captain Pleads Guilty
'Federal authorities say a boat captain from the Dominican Republic has pleaded guilty to smuggling illegal immigrants after his vessel ran aground near Miami, killing six people. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Crecencio Hernandez pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiring to encourage and induce aliens to enter the U.S. illegally. He was charged in Nov. 2008. The passengers from Brazil and the Dominican Republic said they paid the 62-year-old Hernandez between $4,000 and $15,000 to be smuggled into the United States'. More here: http://www.news-press.com/article/20090410/NEWS01/90410022/1002/RSS01 Cap Cana Extension Of Deadline
'Cap Cana, S.A. announced today that it has extended the Consent Payment Deadline for its previously announced exchange offer and consent solicitation (the "Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation"), originally announced on March 31, 2009, for any and all of its outstanding 9.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "Existing Notes"). Holders that wish to receive the consent payment referred to below must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Existing Notes on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 20, 2009, unless further extended (the "Consent Payment Deadline"). The Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on April 27, 2009, unless extended.' The press release continues: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cap-Cana-Announces-Extension-prnews-14898070.html G20 Summit Did Nothing For Caribbean
'Throughout the Caribbean the effects of the global financial meltdown are being seen in a human face – people are losing jobs, many are in danger of losing their homes from unpaid mortgages, and the income support that some received from relatives abroad is reducing. There is fear and anxiety. Naturally, therefore, some hope was pinned on the meeting in London on April 2nd of the so-called G20 countries - actually 19 plus the European Union (EU). This gave Britain, Italy, France and Germany two bites at the cherry. They were there in their own right as well as through their membership of the EU. Hopes on a beneficial outcome from the G20 meeting were dashed by its communiqué which was long on words and promises and very short on direct deliverables for poor countries and vulnerable small countries such as those in the Caribbean'. Read on: Water For Hato Mayor
'When you want a drink of water, you probably just fill a glass from the tap, grab a bottle from the fridge or push the button on a fountain. But in some parts of the world, even the U.S., it isn't so easy. Eight adult volunteers from Fairview's Church of the Cross recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to help residents of one community get clean, affordable water to drink. Through Living Waters for the World, a mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the team put a clean water system in Hato Mayor that can process 300 gallons of water an hour, the Rev. Jim McCormack said. He said such a system costs about $3,000 and his church has raised enough for several. "This was our very first one to actually install," he said. The Fairview group worked on the system from March 30 to April 4. It is one of more than 250 in 19 countries provided through Living Waters for the World.' The story continues: http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090411/LIFESTYLES03/304119957 Book News
Breaking News! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now on sale at the Fine Gift Centre on 12 de Julio in Puerto Plata. The Fine Gift Centre is opposite RUSA exchange house and one block past the Post Office on 12 de Julio. Yet a further outlet! A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html A Failed Criminal - Weekend News April 5th. 2009
On Thursday night the Casino in Cabarete had a visit from a motoconchista who told them he had been sent by the Puerto Plata Fiscal to collect a donation of RD$30,000 which they were making (cause unspecified). Security staff became suspicious about the conchista's nervy disposition and called the accountant. Unfortunately for the conchista he had not done his homework; on being asked the name of the Puerto Plata Fiscal who had sent him, he was unable to answer. The conchista has been detained! http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/abril2009/apresanmotoconchointentaretirar.htm http://www.sosuaonline.net/DetailPost.aspx?postId=4404 http://cosasdemontellano.blogspot.com/2009/04/apresan-motoconcho-trato-retirar.html http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/04/apresan-motoconcho-trato-retirar.html Canadian Drowns At Iberostar Beach
Last weekend Canadian tourist Carol Boudreau, 67, drowned whilst swimming from Hotel Iberostar beach, Costa Dorada. She and her husband, Micheline Ruest, 66, were guests in room 6215 of the hotel. http://listin.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=96117 http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1755&start=1 Fire In Cabarete
Fire totally destroyed the Amigo Bar in Jardin Deportivo, Cabarete last Monday. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1767&start=1 Cigar Benefit For Integracion Juvenil
http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/marzo2009/playadoradacaribbeancigar.htm German Causes Fatal Accident In La Union
Last weekend a German resident allegedly caused a fatal accident near La Union, Sosua when his jeep collided with an electrical post and subsequently a concho and passenger. The conchista and passenger were taken to Ricardo Limardo hospital but it was too late to save their lives. The German resident was also seriously injured; according to his brother-in-law he was allegedly drunk. Relatives of the dead have requested that the expat not be permitted to leave the country as has happened in other accidents of this nature. Mystery Of Ambulance And Firetruck
'The ambulance and firetruck mysteriously donated by the D.C. government to a beach town on the touristy north coast of the Dominican Republic apparently have been called home, The Examiner has learned. A city hall official who asked not to be named told The Examiner on Monday that the vehicles, on their way to the Dominican Republic town of Sosua, had been ordered turned around. The same information was reported Monday on NewsChannel 8’s “NewsTalk” — host Bruce DePuyt cited Ron Moten, co-founder of the Peaceoholics, as his source.' The background to the story is at the second link. The Fire Chief knew nothing about this as clarified at the third link. But, all's well that ends well (see fourth link). More here: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/42162287.html http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/41950872.html Palmera Sponsors Cabarete Sailing
'Cabarete's first luxury brand, Palmera de Cabarete Resort & Spa, puts wind in the sails of Laser sailing with its 2009 sponsorship of Master Sailor Ari Barshi, founder of Cabarete's Laser Training Center and the annual Caribbean Laser Midwinter Regatta, the official opening event of the Laser racing year. Barshi and his sailboat will wear the Palmera de Cabarete logo at 2009 Laser regattas in Florida, California, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Spain, and Canada. Palmera de Cabarete Resort & Spa opens in 2011 on the Dominican Republic's north coast in the town of Cabarete, the "adventure sports capital of the Caribbean." ' The press release continues here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090402/bs_prweb/prweb2286934_1 Pope Tells DR To Fight Corruption
'Benedict XVI is appealing to the Dominican Republic to remember its Catholic roots, and to make a greater effort in its struggle against institutional corruption. The Pope affirmed this today in an audience with Víctor Manuel Grimaldi Céspedes, the new ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Holy See. The Pontiff noted, "Whatever is oriented to the strengthening of institutions is essential for the well-being of society." The well-being of society, he added, rests on "pillars such as the cultivation of honesty and transparency, juridical independence, care and respect of the environment and the development of the social, welfare, health and educational services of the whole population." ' The article continues at the first link. According to Diario Libre the DR Government reacted cautiously to the Pontiff's statement, although the Vice President saying that the Pope said the selfsame thing to the USAmbassador to the Vatican when he presented his credentials, might not be viewed as all that cautious! The Government's reaction is at the second link. Soldiers Cloned Out Of Wages
Some members of the Dominican Army were unable to retrieve their salaries this week because their debit cards had been cloned and wages already withdrawn from the Government's account. Another Italian Mobster Arrested
'Officers assigned to Interpol arrested yesterday the capo of the Italian mafia, Martone Mariano, who was wanted in his country to serve a 25 year prison sentence, accused of assaulting and robbing more than 10 banks and taking the sum of €170 million Euros, equal to some RD$.8.16 billion pesos. Colonel Atahualpa Cabrera Sarita, chief of Interpol here in the Dominican Republic, told Diario Libre that last Thursday he received an arrest warrant for Mariano, and that he was arrested in the Cienfuegos barrio of Santiago where he worked as a taxi driver. Meanwhile, Italian officials said that the capo was on their Wanted List since 2002, and it was only recently that they discovered that he was residing in the Dominican Republic through intelligence work.' Read on: Cap Cana Last Attempt To Avoid Default
'Cap Cana, S.A. ("Cap Cana") announced today that it has commenced an offer to exchange any and all of its outstanding 9.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "Existing Notes") for up to US$137,032,000 aggregate principal amount of its 10% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the "New Notes") and up to US$133,750,000 aggregate principal amount of its 10% Senior Secured Recovery Notes due 2016 (the "Recovery Notes"). The exchange offer is being conducted concurrently with a related consent solicitation to amend the terms of the Existing Notes and the indenture pursuant to which the Existing Notes were issued (the "Indenture"). The exchange offer and the consent solicitation will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on April 27, 2009, unless extended (the "Expiration Date").' The story continues: http://www.latinfinance.com/ArticleTop100.aspx?ArticleID=2172313 http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cap-Cana-Announces-prnews-14799619.html Hydrogen On Demand
'Sustainable Power Corp. has completed an initial shipment to the Dominican Republic of its computer controlled "hydrogen on demand" Emissions Remediation Systems (ERS). The ERS produces hydrogen-on-demand from a mixture of water and proprietary catalyst. The first ten units of an order for several hundred units has been shipped to the Dominican Republic for use on engines for power generation. The ERS is capable of significantly improving fuel economy, increasing engine power, and reducing emissions by promoting more complete fuel combustion by introducing hydrogen directly into the intake manifold with no engine modifications required.' More here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Sustainable-Power-Corp-Ships-iw-14781404.html New IMF Centre For Central America, Panama And DR
'The IMF will open in May 2009 its new Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic Technical Assistance Center (CAPTAC-DR). “CAPTAC-DR is an important component of the IMF’s far-reaching reforms that will enable the Fund to respond more effectively to the emerging challenges of the global economy,” said Murilo Portugal, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF. “The global implications of the current financial crisis highlight the importance of continued strengthening of policy frameworks and effective policy implementation at the national and regional levels, for which CAPTAC-DR is expected to become a natural conduit.” CAPTAC-DR will be the Fund’s second Technical Assistance Center in the region, after the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), which has been operating since 1999 on the island of Barbados. Hosted by the Central Bank of Guatemala, the regional technical assistance center will serve Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. CAPTAC-DR’s staff will consist of a Center Coordinator who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Center; and resident advisors and short-term experts recruited and supervised by the IMF.' Read on: Donations For DR Eye Surgery
'Island Impact Ministries will host its fourth annual Eye Surgery Outreach in the Dominican Republic in May. Each year the charity is joined by the ophthalmology surgical staff of Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. to provide a week of free eye surgery for more than 100 children and adults.' The appeal continues here: Volunteering In The DR
'A sign of relief ran through our group when we finally stepped off the plane in Santo Domingo. Some, like me, were thankful to be finished with our first airplane trip ever, while others were just thankful for the warmth which greeted us when we arrived. As we sped through the streets of Santo Domingo on our way to the ministry center where we would be living, we got our first taste of being in a third world country. The roadways were congested and loud, and the air was not nearly as clean as we were used to. We drove through tiny side streets and large highways, our faces plastered to the windows the entire trip.' More here: http://www.cadillacnews.com/story_news/?story_id=753092&year=2009 Election Software Stolen And Sold
'The president of the Administrative Chamber of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Roberto Rosario, alerted the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, regarding the sale to countries in the region of pirated software that includes the proprietary applications used in the electoral computing system of the JCE that, according to information on hand, has already been used in the recent elections in El Salvador. In a letter dated 25 March, Rosario indicated that this action "coincides with the fact that an employee of the institution, abusing his position, stole proprietary information of the security of our computer system." In the letter, Rosario recommended that the Secretariat of the OAS "alert the election boards of Latin America so that they are not surprised in their good faith by the promoter" of the pirated system that is sold as "used in the Dominican Republic and Haiti." ' Read on: A Dedicated Lawyer
'The attempts to get an officer in the Dominican Navy, Mayobanex Rodriguez Montero, accused of heading up the summary execution of the seven Colombians last 4 August in Ojo de Agua, Paya, out of the country, are beginning to have their consequences. The Prosecutor's Office for the National District is accusing lawyer Jose Sime of these attempts, and will request preventive custody within a few hours. After being consulted by Diario Libre, the District Attorney, Alejandro Moscoso Segarra, revealed that the evidence that his office has indicates that he is one of the people that contributed to the attempted flight to the Turks and Caicos by Rodriguez Montero who was arrested in Puerto Plata with tinted blond hair and a "Spanish accent." ' The story continues in the English language version of Diario Libre. Prosecutors failed to get a custody decision and the lawyer was remanded on bail of half a million pesos with a 15 day reporting requirement as detailed further at the second link. Beachfront Developments At Centre Of Lawsuit
'Investments in beachfront developments in France and the Dominican Republic — described in a federal lawsuit as worthless and costing two women $350,000 — have the support of four Yuba County investors. "The current status of my investment is consistent with the current global economic conditions," their statements read in part. "With time the performance on my investment will improve." Support for the developments follows a federal lawsuit by two women in Yuba County who said their funds were obtained in 2007 "without any intent or reasonable expectation" to repay them. Edith Minne and Bonnie Lohmann seek a court order requiring payment of the $350,000 the two women said they lost with their investment'. More here: http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/lawsuit_76011___article.html/investment_house.html Dominican Telecom Contract Disputed
'Belgian number portability (NP) systems administration specialist Porthus is questioning the awarding of a contract to Spanish company Informática El Corte Inglés to manage the Dominican Republic's NP system, arguing that Porthus presented the best economic offer, Porthus' VP for sales and marketing Christophe Longueville told BNamericas. Porthus was one of three companies that prequalified for bidding, along with El Corte Inglés and Telcordia. After the contract was awarded last week, Porthus made a formal request for clarification of the criteria used to decide on the winner. The company has already received a response from the Dominican Republic's telecoms regulator Indotel and is evaluating whether to take further action, Longueville said. "We aren't accusing anybody, it's more that we want to be sure that the process was 100% fair in the criteria used to award the contract," the executive said.' Read on: Book News
Breaking News! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now on sale at the Fine Gift Centre on 12 de Julio in Puerto Plata. The Fine Gift Centre is opposite RUSA exchange house and one block past the Post Office on 12 de Julio. Yet a further outlet! A small number of copies of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple are available at Libreria Rodali, off 12 de Julio, Puerto Plata. Costambar residents and visitors! Dinner and a movie? No, breakfast and a good book! Visit Rainer and Beatriz's R & B Bakery, Calle Los Mangos, Villas Princesa, Costambar Tel.809-970-3083 where the book is also on sale. In fact you can drop in between 7am and 7pm daily except Saturdays for home made bread, cakes and pies and ...................a good read! And yes! We've made it to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAa_I5n53E Meanwhile the book is available online from the publishers, Best Books Online, and from Amazon UK. Amazon Canada are currently listing as 'temporarily out of stock' with more on order. New outlet for US customers! Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is now available from The Dominican Bookshop: http://www.dominicanbookshop.com/Quisqueya_Mad_Dogs_and_English_Couple_p/978-1904502524.htm http://www.bestbooksonline.co.uk/bookshop/specials.php?id=68 Quisqueya has shown up on Amazon.com as being available (again). Price quoted is now more reasonable. Reviews of the book are available at the above Amazon links as well as British Expat and Dominican Today. http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25127 http://www.britishexpat.com/Book-Reviews-Quisqueya.1347.0.html Sun Village Lawsuit - Weekend News March 29th. 2009
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/top-stories/story/967890.html http://www.startribune.com/nation/41773152.html?page=1&c=y http://www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/app/article.aspx?id=3254 http://www.diariohorizonte.com/view/articulo.aspx?articleid=23191&zoneid=32 post 339 here http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=38466&page=7 http://eclientscom.com/pdf/ElliottTimeshareScamPR03062009.pdf http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/marzo2009/detectanfraudebienes.htm http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=145098 http://sacandomelao.blogspot.com/2009/03/demanda-fred-elliott-es-un-rumor-con.html http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1742&start=1 Germans Murdered In Villa Isabella
The bodies of two German expats were found in the cystern of their property in Estero Hondo, Villa Isabella. Kart Anthony Johannes Plaumann, 47, and Sabine Hermine Bunhove, 68, had a business in the area and had lived there for a number of years. There were multiple wounds on the bodies. It is thought the motive was robbery of a motorbike and police are allegedly looking for a Haitian who had been seen near the property. Neighbours had called the police when they became aware of decomposition smells and after they had noticed the expats' disappearance. http://www.clavedigital.com/App_Pages/Portada/Titulares.aspx?id_Articulo=17535 http://www.elnacional.com.do/nacional/2009/3/28/11571/Haitianos-deguellan-2-alemanes-en-PP http://www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2009/3/28/271818/Asesinan-a-cuchilladas-a-dos-alemanes-enPuerto-Plata Cabarete Waterworks Final Phase?
According to the Sub-Secretary of Tourism, the sanitation works for Cabarete are in their final phase. Residents will be pleased, if somewhat incredulous. http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1716&start=1 US Coast Guards Help Dream Project
The crew of US Coast Guard Cutter Legare came ashore last week to help repaint a school in Cabarete as part of its support for the Dream Project. http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/marzo2009/militaresnorteamericanosdesarro.htm http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/noticias/nacionales/marzo2009/norteamericanosmilitares.htm http://www.puertoplatahabla.com/articles.php?art_id=1710&start=1 Cofresi Blockade
Some 50 taxis blocked the entrance to Cofresi on Thursday over a dispute with on-site businesses about not being allowed access to their waiting points for tourists. The blockade lasted two hours and the assistant Chief of Police had to intervene in order to set up a meeting between the taxi union director, hotel management, the Governor of Puerto Plata and the Sub-Secretary of Tourism in order to resolve the issue. |
'In 1991, Bob Hildreth drilled a well for his new home in Puerto Plata. Not long after, people lined up at the spigot alongside his house. Potable water, he’d discovered, was in short supply. Eighteen years later – the longest time this former US Army aviator has spent in any one place – Mr. Hildreth devotes half his time to his jewelry business, Joyería las Americas, and the other half getting durable, low-tech water filters into the island's barrios....Even piped-in water isn't necessarily safe, Hildreth says. In the developed world, constant water pressure keeps whatever's lurking outside the pipes at bay. In the developing world, however, where power outages are common, water pressure drops and at times even reverses, sucking in raw sewage that's often outside. When the system begins pumping again, it's delivering contaminated water. "Point-of-use water treatment needs to be adopted by all the developing countries in the world," Hildreth says. Funded principally by Rotary clubs, his organization – Project las Americas – has delivered 19,000 BioSand filters. One $50 filter cleans 120 gallons of water daily and lasts for decades. In studies, Dr. Sobsey has found that BioSand filters can reduce diarrhea by 47 percent. "You're almost certainly reducing mortality," he says.' The article continues in the Christian Science Monitor:.jpg)
Ginnie's first book Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and English Couple is on sale at the Fine Gift Centre on 12 de Julio in Puerto Plata. The Fine Gift Centre is opposite RUSA exchange house and one block past the Post Office on 12 de Julio.
Political coverage on this news bulletin normally does indeed have a Monty Pythonesque ring to it. But we appear to have spotted an endangered species lurking in the wings of the next municipal elections. Endangered species such as honest politicos deserve support and for that reason we are bringing to your attention Danilo Féliz, 39, aspirant Mayor for the municipality of Guayacenes, including Juan Dolio and Los Conocos. Danilo Féliz has as the cornerstone of his political platform the theme of security. On job security, he holds that employment in the municipality of Guayacenes should be offered to the residents of Guayacenes; on health security, he plans to build a hospital so that residents are not forced to travel to San Pedro de Macoris or even further afield to Santo Domingo; on home security - the building of homes with concrete floors, zinc roofs and baathrooms rather than the current mud floors, and the provision of an effective police force. And perhaps most important of all, on future security Danilo Féliz plans on encouraging youth through the provision of structured sports programmes and facilities. We wish him well..........provided he remembers to close the front door! 
During the past week Minister of the Environment Jaime David Fernandez laid the decision about the cement factory at the feet of the President and said he (Jaime David) does what he is told. Meanwhile the camp in continues, the publicity campaign continues and would appear to be gathering more and more support. Activists have located the environmental study carried out by Consorcio Minero Dominicano (the company involved in the cement factory); this identifies environmental damages resultant from the project. And the Church has requested suspension of work on the cement factory, pending further environmental studies. Protests against the cement factory have also taken place in New York as described in El Nuevo Norte. According to a piece in Clave Digital, the reason permission was given to Aceros Estrella for the cement factory was because the Government owed them a large amount of money. For what? Allegedly for the steel used in........the Metro!! For those wanting to read about the campaign in English, please see Dominicans Defend Biodiversity article at the last link.
'A man who has been on the run since 2006 has been arrested in the Dominican Republic. U.S. Marshals say they arrested Joseph Fontana, who was wanted in Santa Rosa County, on charges of sexual misconduct with children.'
According to the journalist, but for the blaring car horns, you would have thought it was a funeral procession. But on Wednesday what took place was a much rarer event: a protest staged by the rich and middle class citizens of Torre Alta, Puerto Plata. They took to the streets (in their jeepetas, it must be stressed) to protest the state of the roads in Torre Alta.
The Court hearing on May 29th. challenging the granting of the licence for the cement factory, has been put back to June 3rd. Meanwhile the camp-in continues. A report in Listin Diario indicates that intelligence organisations have gathered information about the protestors, showing their plans (possibly from their blog!) and their contact with international organisations like Greenpeace and a University in Spain. The background story can be found on the last two weeks of this news bulletin.
The Casa de Cultura in Puerto Plata is hosting a photographic display; for the seventh year in succession the Wifredo García exhibition will start on Tuesday at 6pm. It is sponsored by Brugal. Wifredo Garcia (1935-1988) is known as the father of Dominican photography. 
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Thursday saw the inauguration of Integracion Juvenil's new school for street children in Calle Emilio Prud'homme opposite the Amber Museum. The Victorian house, in which this reporter lived until nine years ago, has been completely renovated and restored to its former glory. Architect Merette donated his services for which he received the distinguished son of Puerto Plata award from the Ayuntamiento, as did Alex Haxton of World Emergency Relief who made funding available for the purchase of the house. Many local businesses also donated materials and financial support. The evening started with the playing of the National Anthem which was sung by Dr. Jose Artiles, Director of Puerto Plata's Human Rights Commission, followed by speeches from a number of distinguished speakers and finished with a musical and dramatic presentation by the students. Funding is still needed to tide the organisation over the next few difficult months: anyone interested in helping is invited to contact Patria Rodriguez at Turinter. Turinter is located on Luis Ginebra near the Chinese restaurant and the Court building: telephone 809 586 3911, Email .jpg)
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The official opening of the Victorian House facility for children in Puerto Plata will be next Thursday. This is an invitation event; since this reporter and partner have been invited to the opening in the house where they themselves used to live, a more detailed report can be expected in next week's news. 
Puerto Plata's Fundación Caamaño had a day of events last Friday, April 24th.: at the Fundación itself (on Duarte near Plaza Independencia/Parque Central) there were displays of historic documents and photos, at 5.30 pm Mass in the Cathedral to honour the heroes who were killed in the Revolution, at 7 pm in Plaza Independencia a theatrical performance by Teatro Balsamo, a dance display followed by, at 8 pm, a musical concert. The Commander of the revolutionaries in Puerto Plata 44 years ago was very much in evidence at all of these events. On Saturday at 5.30 pm there will be a meeting of Fundación members at the Fundación on Duarte. On Tuesday 28th. at 9 am there will be a floral tribute at the Municipal Cemetery, at 10 am a visit by Claudio Caamaño to Colegio San Felipe, at 2 pm a TV interview of Claudio Caamaño at Circuito Musa, Channel 3 and at 5 pm a lecture given by Claudio Caamaño about the Revolution in the auditorium of the University (CURA UASD, Cafemba, near Costambar).
'The Hells Angels were dealt a significant blow Wednesday after police in Quebec, New Brunswick, the Dominican Republic and France arrested more than 150 full-patch members and associates in a massive sweep. Operation Sharqc targeted the biker gang's leadership and experts say it will most certainly affect street-level drug trafficking in Quebec, where the investigation was centred. "The people in Quebec have really a great reason to laud their police because Quebec is the only jurisdiction in the world right now where law enforcement has persisted 24 hours a day over more than a decade now to try and shut down the Hells Angels and their drug network," said Toronto author Yves Lavigne, who's penned several books on the notorious biker gang. "This will severely hurt their income and severely hurt their ability to supply the street gangs that sell their drugs for them." While many have compared Wednesday's bust to a similar one in spring 2001 in which 122 Hells Angels members and sympathizers were arrested, Lavigne said this one is particularly significant as it yielded a number of gang leaders. It also targeted individuals in the Dominican Republic - an important point along the pipeline that carries drugs from Colombia to Canada, he said'. As part of this operation Darth Vader lookalikes (Dominican SWAT teams) stormed a HA bunker in East Cabarete. Well that's probably how sensationalist first world papers would report it but in reality it's the DR so there was a lot of hanging around as opposed to storming.
A presentation about Costa Esmeralda is due to be made on Sunday April 19th. which heralds the immediate groundbreaking. Puerto Plata Habla clearly has little information about the event. In March the DR Government signed an agreement with Marketing Beratung International (MBI) in Berlin for the development of eight, 160 room boutique hotels in a first stage and 200 apartments after that, all to be located on the Esmeralda Peninsula in Cofresi and in association with Hacienda Resorts.
The Cigar Night supper benefit evening for Integracion Juvenil was a very successful event. The evening raised RD$100,000 on top of which the cigar manufacturers donated US$5000.
'A civil case involving an alleged $170 million fraud was opened in a Miami federal court by hundreds of individuals and companies, several of them from South Florida, who invested in luxurious tourism projects in the Dominican Republic. The main defendants in the civil suit are father and son Frederick and Derek Elliott, Canadian businessmen residing in the Dominican Republic. According to the complaint, they diverted funds toward the Elliott Group, a network of shell companies that were allegedly used as piggy-banks to maintain their lifestyle. ''Unfortunately, this case is another example of how the search for the almighty dollar deviates from basic notions of right and wrong,'' said attorney Michael Diaz, who presented the complaint. Despite having raised about $170 million for various projects from investors in the United States and other parts of the world, the Elliott Group did not complete any of the projects on offering, according to the plaintiffs. The complaint states that when the investors began demanding that the Elliotts inform them about their investments, they ''replied with threats,'' warning that if legal measures were taken ``they would lose everything, because Frederick, Derek and their companies were legally bulletproof.'' Another defendant is the former Dominican minister of tourism, Victor Cabral, who is currently under house arrest after being found guilty of fleecing a private company engaged in tourism development..........The civil complaint accuses the Elliots of asset laundering, bank wire and mail fraud, and of violating the Rico Act.' More in the Miami Herald. The Elliots deny the accusations according to an article in Puerto Plata Habla.
