Super Good News

[Dolores]

DR1 5 September 2008:
JD's first day on the job
Former Vice President, and now Environment Minister Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal assumed his post yesterday, 18 days after he was named to the position. Fernandez Mirabal refused to comment on the situation, which fueled rumors there was a rift between him and President Leonel Fernandez. President Fernandez was pleased with Fernandez Mirabal's decision. Yesterday, Fernandez Mirabal also seemed delighted by his new responsibility, one of the most difficult in government because of the many conflicts of interest. "I don't like it if someone takes something without telling me, but I also don't like people giving me things without telling me. But all of that is in the past and we are here to serve," he told the press.
"I have decided to take this responsiblity, I hope for the next eight years because in environment and natural resources areas, the results are not apparent immediately," he told the press.
Fernandez Mirabal explained to the current employees at the Ministry that they need not fear for their jobs, as substitutions will only be made where necessary.
The press had also speculated that Fernandez Mirabal could have negotiated with the President to be sure the ministry would be sufficiently funded so that he could successfully carry out the job.
Fernandez Mirabal was sworn to his post, together with ministers Bernabe Manon (forestry resources), Ernesto Reyna (environmental management), Eleuterio Martinez (protected areas and biodiversity), Manuel Serrano (land and waters), Dannerys Santana (coastal and marine resources), Ricardo Contreras (administrative), Martha Perez (environmental education), Rosa Urania Abreu, Air Force colonel Francisco Santos Tolentino (director of Environmental Police), and colonel Julio Cesar Rodriguez Burgos. Enrique Puigbert was sworn in as advisor to the President on marine matters, Jose Enrique Baez, will be director of Quisqueya Verde (bringing back Fernandez Mirabal's successful forestation program), Idalia Acevedo, is the new director of the National Aquarium and Virginia Heinsen, will be the director of the National Zoo. Former director David Arias was named forestry advisor to the President.

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Fernandez Mirabal's acceptance of the post is super good news for the environment sector. This is not a person who will be pushed around, nor bought. The delay in his taking the job probably also means he wanted time to negotiate his terms with the President to ensure he was able to bring on his people, and have funds to carry out a good job. The return of Quisqueya Verde, one of the most successful forestation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the appointment of Eleuterio Martinez in charge of protected areas mean the government could be ready to do a turn around and no longer be lax about environmental violations that affect sustainable development.

[Chris]

This is indeed super good news Dolores. It would be great to have an interview with him for the green team.

[M.A.R.]

If he's good for this position i am very happy for the country. This time around i noticed in the san jose de las matas area that it has become deforested.....i noticed the hills bare, and i was told that the Plan Sierra hasn't been doing any work in the past years. So I am very happy that something will be done in the area of forestation.

[suarezn]

I don't know this is such good news. Don't get me wrong I think he's a great individual whom I would vote for if he ran for president, but the issue here is that it is apparent he did not want this job, so I don't see him dedicating a lot of time to it.

We need someone who has the track record and of course give him/her the necessary powers to hold off special interests.

[Hillbilly]

I am not so sure. I do respect Domingo and Eleuterio and I also know Bernabé//// All are well versed in their fields.

As to whether he will do a good job or can be bought??? That is to be seen...Sorry, I am so skeptical.

AS for Plan Sierra working, it has been. It is not charged with the land around Sajoma. That is privately held and the owners do with it what they please. Neither you nor I can help it if they are idiots and cut down all the trees..


HB

[RHM]

Originally Posted by suarezn

I don't know this is such good news...the issue here is that it is apparent he did not want this job...

That's the main issue and draws attention to the greater weirdness of Dominican politics - that someone can learn after the fact that they've been appointed to a significant cabinet position.

Forget about having the background and expertise one would expect from any serious candidate. Fernandez's PLD cronies are evidently so qualified and versatile that they're "plug-and-play."

Minister of commerce and industry one week and the head of education the next...and so on....and so on...

Can I get an Amen?

RHM

[A.Hidalgo]

so be it .........

[Stodgord]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

I am not so sure. I do respect Domingo and Eleuterio and I also know Bernabé//// All are well versed in their fields.

As to whether he will do a good job or can be bought??? That is to be seen...Sorry, I am so skeptical.

AS for Plan Sierra working, it has been. It is not charged with the land around Sajoma. That is privately held and the owners do with it what they please. Neither you nor I can help it if they are idiots and cut down all the trees..


HB

Can't they get in trouble with the forestas? I have always been told that permission and a long and expensive process is required for someone to be able to cut trees in their land.

[M.A.R.]

Originally Posted by Stodgord

Can't they get in trouble with the forestas? I have always been told that permission and a long and expensive process is required for someone to be able to cut trees in their land.

Yes that's why i made my comment, when the foresta was enforcing the law campesinos would get arrested or in trouble for cutting trees intheir own land or for clearing fields for crops (conucos).

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by RHM

That's the main issue and draws attention to the greater weirdness of Dominican politics - that someone can learn after the fact that they've been appointed to a significant cabinet position.

You can have an Amen AND a Hallelujah. I think he was trying to teach the President not to be so autocratic. Whom, in a large commercial enterprise would appoint someone to a significant head of department position without discussing it with them first? Poor management skills IMHO. And it didn't stop the in-fighting, the lining up for perks, the meat market so if that was the President's intention.....................didn't work, did it?