Juan Dolio - South Beach of the Caribbean !!!

[mikey007]

good pothole progress report

[STEVE G.]

Originally Posted by MommC

Now if only they would build a sewage treatment plant so it doesn't start to stink like it did when all the resorts were open and full!!

New sewage treatment plant is coming ... where the funds are coming from ? They started to hit the developers first - US$800 for each bathroom in all new projects. All the taxes are increased to stamp the plans from local Ayuntamiento de Guayacanes ( Municipal Office ) after the Secretary of Tourism ( before was free ) but they ask first to have an approval from Asociación para el Desarrollo Turístico de Juan Dolio y Guayacanes , that is where US$800 ( for each bathroom ) are paid , after you go to Obras Publicas for more taxes to pay ...But that is for new projects for now , more likely to connect to a new sewage treatment plant the rest of the developments , houses etc. everyone will be asked to pay as well .... probably the same scenario will happen with road reparations in the future as well ...

[Dre Broeders]

I hear that Aquabella paid 4,5 Million Dollar to get the autorisation for the construction on the beach.

[STEVE G.]

The point is if the developers pay so much in taxes just to have an approval from Ayuntamiento de Guayacanes ( Municipal Office ) , Secretary of Tourism , Asociación para el Desarrollo Turístico de Juan Dolio y Guayacanes and Obras Publicas etc. I think all this institutions have to work their *ss to fix the roads !

[Fernandez]

Interesting development. US$800/bathroom
1- Payable exactly to who? Is there a receipt/transparency with respect to how this tax is paid, where the proceeds exactly went to, and how it will be "spent" as in: who will determine the use of these proceeds? Sounds like another mordida- mexicana style.
2- Treatment plant to be built where? Just how is this going to blend into the area: who will run it, will there be annual sewer taxes now that they've bitten the revenue line?
3- Will this plant be accessible for the local residents- los Conucos, the barrio houses that dump sewage down some hole somewhere? How will these people pay their sewage bills- or is the plan to tax, excuse me, seek revenue from those who pay for everything else?
4- Has this been published anywhere, have there been any community meetings/ input into the project or is this in the hands of developers only?
Cuidado.

[Fernandez]

Road Repairs paid by local residents?
I see- so perhaps we should share in development profits?
Not clear on this- seems like there is a need to formalize a group of individuals to offset the ramrodding of costs that are coming down the line-

[Fernandez]

Originally Posted by STEVE G.

The point is if the developers pay so much in taxes just to have an approval from Ayuntamiento de Guayacanes ( Municipal Office ) , Secretary of Tourism , Asociación para el Desarrollo Turístico de Juan Dolio y Guayacanes and Obras Publicas etc. I think all this institutions have to work their *ss to fix the roads !

The point is that the Developers should have a contract signed by the Government that in exchange for these payments the local municipality will use proceeds to complete/repair the road infrastructure. Furthermore, these funds should be held in a fideicomiso set aside for these specific purposes, and run by non-governmental agencies / private members council / to ensure no dipping in the wells-
remember in the USA- "why steal if I can pay for it"
remember in the DR: "why pay for it if I can steal it".

[DrChrisHE]

Fernandez you make some excellent points.

Steve G-I seems you feel as though the developers are already paying.

Let me put some perspective on this...in most PLANNED communities (and that IS what developers are supposed to be doing--as opposed to individually putting up haphazard structures) being constructed in N.Am and Europe, the infrastructure--sewers, water treatment, main electrical transformers, etc MUST be built PRIOR to the other structures which will create the demand for them. At the very least, they must be built simultaneously. In high end developments, the developers pay (and pass on via the prices) a premium to subsidize the surrounding community. Roads are put in PRIOR to the actual homes (SERIOUSLY!) and then repaved once the most of the structures are complete.

Just because in the DR they've always gotten away with abusing the local community and SAYING that they'll EVENTUALLY take care of the roads, sewer, water, electric, et. doesn't mean it is RIGHT. Now, I'm also not saying that the other way is the ONLY right way to do it. However, this discussion has been going on as IF there has never been a responsible developer in the world. There are plenty of examples where the local codes, regulatory agencies and laws FORCE this structure on development until it becomes the norm.

A prime example of how codes work: Hurricane clamps when attaching non-cement roofs are mandated along the coasts of the US. This island should have mandatory hurricane SHUTTERS (to prevent the flying glass that becomes one of the enormously dangerous hazards during TS's and Hurricanes. This appears to have been incorporated into the Costa del Sol that opened last Fall but I am still seeing MANY buildings--especially in Metro--going up with floor to ceiling glass and NO hurricane shutters. You might say, "Well those people will pay the price." Only HALF true...the glass that shatters from their homes will become part of the swirling projectile glass that rips flesh to threads.

The above is only ONE example of what I see when I look at the development going on. What I want to know is why there isn't someone like myself with the actual training (and I'm only referring to my Urban Planning with Health Speciality--not other degrees) involved in the planning of these developments? It would seem to be not only a prudent move, but a positive advertising angle for marketing to the foreign money they hope to attract. And, for what its worth, I don't really care WHO the mayor is because he's clearly not taking much of a leadership role in this...the fact that he's a fisherman is irrelevant. I've known some outstanding leaders who have 6-8th grade education (including some of my ancestors.)
Paz y salud,
DrChrisHE

[DrChrisHE]

And because it is SUCH a great quote...here you go for inspiration:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does”
Margaret Mead (American anthropologist whose great fame owed as much to the force of her personality and her outspokenness as it did to the quality of her scientific work, 1901-1978)

For what its worth, I'm only a legal RESIDENT--not a citizen of the DR. This type of change MUST include the citizens.

[STEVE G.]

Originally Posted by Fernandez

Interesting development. US$800/bathroom
1- Payable exactly to who? Is there a receipt/transparency with respect to how this tax is paid, where the proceeds exactly went to, and how it will be "spent" as in: who will determine the use of these proceeds? Sounds like another mordida- mexicana style.
2- Treatment plant to be built where? Just how is this going to blend into the area: who will run it, will there be annual sewer taxes now that they've bitten the revenue line?
3- Will this plant be accessible for the local residents- los Conucos, the barrio houses that dump sewage down some hole somewhere? How will these people pay their sewage bills- or is the plan to tax, excuse me, seek revenue from those who pay for everything else?
4- Has this been published anywhere, have there been any community meetings/ input into the project or is this in the hands of developers only?
Cuidado.

Make a call and you'll get your answers ... Asociación para el Desarrollo Turístico de Juan Dolio y Guayacanes, Inc.