DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 13 September 2017

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May 3, 2000
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Discovery Land Co. is new developer of Playa Grande
Medina to guide talks with Venezuela
Recognition for saving parrotfish
Citizen Participation outlines its position on Political Parties Bill
EdeNorte repairs most of damage in Puerto Plata
PRM says Peralta has benefited greatly from post
Second humanitarian flight arrives to St. Martin to help Dominican expats
US Consulate postpones visa interviews
Police seek to regain public trust
Bernardo Vega proposes DR gets its own Cicig
The preservation of Dominican culinary heritage
Second phase of Monte Plata Solar to begin next month
Another fatal death of a 16-year old girl
It’s going to be hot today
DR defeats Argentina after going seven sets in U23 World Volleyball Championship


Discovery Land Co. is new developer of Playa Grande
Mike Meldman of Discovery Land Co. has added a residential resort in Playa Grande to his list of Discovery Land luxury vacation destinations. Sales will open in January 2018. A real estate tycoon, Meldman’s properties seek to preserve the natural characteristics of the location. Playa Grande complex has 18-hole Playa Grande Golf Course with several holes fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Amanera, an Aman Resort, is part of the property.

The Presidency announced on Tuesday, 12 September 2017, that Discovery Land Co. purchased property at Playa Grande in December 2016 and has plans to invest US$1 billion in different phases. 2,000 jobs will be created, benefiting the local economy.

Since the purchase, the company says it has invested US$150 million in the property. The company announced during the press conference that the first phase would be opened for sales in January with 100 units.

Speaking at a press conference at the Presidential Palace after a meeting with President Danilo Medina, Meldman said the goal is to turn Playa Grande into the most valued and important resort in the Caribbean.

Also attending the meeting for the Dominican government were New York Consul Carlos Castillo, Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo. Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta; Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García; Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero, manager of the Banco de Reservas Simón Lizardo, and Deputy Minister of the Presidency Juan Ariel Jiménez.
For Discovery Land Co., also present were partner Joey Arenson, legal counsel environmental lawyer Romina Santroni; and Aaron Leff, among others.
The company has sites in Nevada, New York, California, Idaho, North Carolina, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Texas. Abroad it has properties in Mexico (Cabo San Lucas), and Bahamas (Great Guana Cay).
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...ya-grande-de-empresarios-eeuu-us1000-millones
http://www.playagrande.com/
https://discoverylandco.com/discovery-land-company/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/developer-mike-meldman-is-real-estates-party-boy-1452783341


Medina to guide talks with Venezuela
In Paris, the French government greeted the renewal of the dialogue between Venezuelan authorities and the opposition even as they warned Venezuelan leaders in Caracas of the risk of sanctions by the European Union (EU). The French Minister of Foreign Affairs,Jean-Yves Le Drian, met in Paris with his Venezuelan counterpart, Jorge Arreaza. The meeting had not been previously announced.

Minister Le Drian told reporters: “I am happy to hear that talks with the opposition will resume tomorrow (today) in the Dominican Republic under the guidance of Dominican President Danilo Medina and the former President of the Spanish government José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.”

The French Minister called this “good news” and expressed his trust that this would “translate very quickly into concrete measures.”

Nevertheless, Le Drian, who said that his interview with Minister Arreaza had been “frank and constructive”, added that he had expressed to his counterpart the serious concern in France over the economic, political and humanitarian situation in Venezuela.”

Rodríguez Zapatero and the Dominican Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas held a meeting on 12 September 2017, in the afternoon, during which they called for the Venezuelan government and the opposition to take part in urgent talks. In the press communiqué released after this meeting they said that they had been convinced that there is an opportunity to initiate a process that will lead to mutual recognition and reconciliation.

http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...obre-venezuela-que-inicia-este-miercoles.html
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/09/12/world/europe/12reuters-venezuela-politics-france.html


Recognition for saving parrotfish
The Ministry of Environment recognized the Centro Cuesta Nacional (CCN) for its efforts in the conservation of the parrotfish and the preservation of the nation’s ecological system.

During the activity on 12 September 2017 in the food court at the Jumbo Supermarket on Luperon Avenue, a plaque was presented by Environment Minister Francisco Dominguez Brito to José Manuel Gonzalez for their successful campaign “The invisible fish” that was carried out in all of the stores of the Jumbo brand. The program was also extended to El Nacional supermarkets owned by the same company. Vicki Malla and Isabel Gonzalez Cuadra, executives of the Central Cuesta Nacional, represented the store in the ceremony.

Minister Domínguez Brito called upon other commercial entities to follow the example of CCN and their efforts to preserve the nation’s environment.

https://www.diariolibre.com/medioam...sta-en-la-conservacion-del-pez-loro-NC8141197


Citizen Participation outlines its position on Political Parties Bill
The civic movement known in Spanish as Participacion Ciudadana (Citizen Participation) delivered on 12 September 2017, in the afternoon, its recommendations to the Joint Congressional Commission that is studying the Political Parties and Groups Bill.

The civic society organization presented the issues that it feels the political parties have avoided, thus preventing the parties from reaching of a consensus. For example, Citizen Participation insists that primaries of the political parties should be carried out when each party decides to do so within the pre-election time frame, either using their own voter lists or the universal list prepared by the JCE. They also call for a 40% participation of women in elective positions as well as in party leadership. The question of financial transparency is also among the priorities stressed by Citizen Participation together with a series of penalties for those who commit crimes and violate citizen rights.

Furthermore, Citizen Participation observed: “It is strange that among the agreements they [political parties] have omitted is the clause the Law Of Free Access to Information that obligates parties to reveal all information related to their income and expenditures of both the public and private contributions received.”

Curiously, for many readers, PC calls for an increase in spending for training and educating party members, by increasing the 10% of funding agreed upon by the parties to 20%, only 5% below previous levels. PC understands that the parties must have received at least 2% of the votes cast in the last election in order to be recognized by the Central Electoral Board (JCE).

http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...es-sus-recomendaciones-para-ley-partidos.html


EdeNorte repairs most of damage in Puerto Plata
The electricity distributor for most of the northern half of the Dominican Republic, EdeNorte, announced on Tuesday, 12 September 2017, that it had resolved 92 of the 103 causes of interruptions in their service in the area of Puerto Plata due to Hurricane Irma.

The press release from the electric company praises the work of their repair brigades. The electricity distributor expects that the 11 remaining problems will be solved within 24 hours, thereby restoring full-service to their area, especially along the north shore.

Among the problems resolved were the powerlines between Puerto Plata and Gurabito de Yaroa, which is almost completely located in an area covered by forests and which can only be reached on foot making repairs difficult. Likewise, EdeNorte stressed how quickly their technicians that belong to the Department of Distribution in Puerto Plata were able to act to repair all of the downed lines that provide electricity to the several aqueducts in the province.

http://elnacional.com.do/resuelven-92-de-103-averias-en-pp-por-irma/


PRM says Peralta has benefited greatly from post
The leader of the Agriculture Front of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), Leonardo Faña, said yesterday that the Administrative Minister for the Presidency, José Ramon Peralta, received 32 authorizations to import foodstuffs in a single day. According to Faña, the Minister of Agriculture authorized these imports for the company known as Agro Commercial Import, owned by Peralta. He said on 22 May 2016, the company received 22 permits to import different foodstuffs.

The opposition leader, who is facing a lawsuit from Peralta who is accusing him of defamation of character and slander, also said that in September of the same year, Agro Comercial Import received 26 permits, in October 32 and in April of this year 28 authorizations to import different types of food.

Faña listed in correspondence to the President 166 authorizations Peralta companies have received from the Ministry of Agriculture for imports.
Faña said that the Administrative Minister for the Presidency owns 18 companies.

Faña said that he has sent several letters to President Danilo Medina to make him aware of the benefits received by the government official.

The lawsuit by Peralta has been brought at least twice, once for defamation of character and a second time for slander. On the 20th of this month the Ninth Penal Chamber of the National District will hear the case for defamation of character. The Second Penal Chamber of the National District has not set a date for the lawsuit regarding slander.

http://elnacional.com.do/dice-dan-a-peralta-32-permisos-en-un-dia-para-importar/
http://eldia.com.do/leonardo-fana-d...eralta-con-166-autorizaciones-de-importacion/


Second humanitarian flight arrives to St. Martin to help Dominican expats
A second Pawa Dominicana Airline flight left on Monday to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Sint Maarten with a load of 30,000 of goods to assist Dominican expat victims of Hurricane Irma in Philipsburg. Hurricane Irma caused major damage in St. Martin and Sint Maarten in the eastern Caribbean.

The president of Pawa Dominicana, Gary Stone said that the situation in St. Martin is difficult and that hundreds of Dominicans are waiting to be evacuated. He said the island airport is controlled by the Dutch army that has separated people by nationality to expedite the process of leaving the island.

The flight returned with 160 Dominicans, victims of Hurricane Irma. “This gives us energy, happiness and is gratifying,” said Gary Stone. “We know we are doing something good. When you see the afces of the people, and especially of the children, we reaffirm the commitment we have of taking them out of an island that is in crisis. This is not work, it is simply what we had to do,” said Stone, who personally has led the Pawa rescue operation.

The Dominican population in the island is estimated at around 18,000 inhabitants, with 7,000 in the French side, St. Martin, and 11,000 in the Dutch side, Sint Maarten.

PAWA announced it will assist in evacuations from Aruba as of Thursday, 14 September 2017.

https://elnuevodiario.com.do/segundo-vuelo-ayuda-humanitario-sale-san-martin/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-desde-san-martin-tras-huracan-irma-AL8148147


US Consulate postpones visa interviews
The US Embassy announced that because a large part of the staff in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Barbados, as well as in Curacao offices are involved in Hurricane Irma's relief efforts, consular services are being offered on a limited basis.

As a result, the Consular Section of the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo announced it would not be conducting non-immigrant visa interviews on Tuesday, September 12 and Wednesday, September 13, 2017. Those non-immigrant visa applicants with scheduled appointments for days 12 and 13 will be notified directly of new dates of appointments.

The Consulate says that certain exceptions in cases of emergency visas will be made, but these will only be considered as such in cases of greater risk or imminent danger that require immediate travel to the United States. In addition, all requests for emergency appointments must be made in writing.

For information on immigrant (resident) or non-immigrant (walk) visa applications, check the appointments page or write to the call center at support-dominicanrepublic@ustraveldocs.com.

Care services for US citizens and immigrant visa appointments will not be affected. In case of emergencies, US citizens must call 809-567-7775. You can also reschedule your appointments with the US Citizens Services section online or by writing to: SDOAmericans@state.gov.


Police seek to regain public trust
The director general of the National Police reiterated on Tuesday, 12 September 2017, that during his term, any officer or agent who commits any crime will be discharged from the institution and face criminal charges in the justice system. Major General Ney Bautista Almonte said that among his goals is to restore public trust.

Bautista Almonte told reporters from the El Nacional newspaper: “If we work closely with residents in high crime areas, we will be better able to reduce crime in urban areas as well as in the countryside.”

Bautista Almonte visited the offices of the El Nacional to congratulate the administrators, editors and staff on the 51st anniversary of the newspaper’s founding. In his talk with the director of El Nacional, Bolivar Diaz Gomez, General Bautista Almonte said that they were going to strengthen the Internal Affairs Department in order to be able to quickly sanction or discharge any member of the force found to be involved in criminal activity.

Regarding this citizens’ perception of the Police, the director general said that they have a project to bring members of the force closer to the people in order to restore public trust in the institution. They also will be carrying out preventive efforts to reduce crime that will be applied throughout all of the nation’s security agencies including the Armed Forces, the Anti-Narcotics Division and the Justice Department in order to make the system work more effectively. Bautista said the police will be more proactive.

Finally, El Nacional reported that Bautista is working for the proper application of Law 590-16 that lays out the number of officers, especially general officers, that the police force should have and he noted that three major generals have already been retired.

http://elnacional.com.do/director-pn-dice-busca-recuperar-confianza-de-la-poblacion/


Bernardo Vega proposes DR gets its own Cicig
Former Dominican governor of the Central Bank and ambassador to the USA, economist and historian Bernardo Vega favored that the Dominican government accept the replicating of the successful experience of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The commission would reinforce the public ministry, the police and other state institutions in the investigation of crimes.

In Guatemala the international body was charged with investigating and prosecuting serious crimes in Guatemala. It was created on December 12, 2006, when the United Nations and the Guatemalan government signed a treaty-level agreement setting up CICIG as an independent body to support the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Police in Guatemala and other state institutions in the investigation of sensitive and difficult cases. The ultimate goal of CICIG's work was to strengthen national judicial institutions, to allow them to halt activities of illegal cartels and organized crime.

https://noticiassin.com/2017/09/ber...-la-impunidad-como-la-que-opera-en-guatemala/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Commission_against_Impunity_in_Guatemala


The preservation of Dominican culinary heritage
The Dominican Flavors Foundation (Fundacion Sabores Dominicanos) together with the Cassava Foundation and the Dominican Chapter of the Pan-American Confederation Of Hotel, Gastronomy and Tourism Schools are strengthening the prestige of Dominican gastronomy, through a project entitled, “Safeguarding the Dominican Culinary Heritage.”

The project calls for establishing internationally recognized recipes of the different dishes and drinks of the Dominican Republic. Within the framework of this initiative they will carry out two workshops of specialized training with the theme of “Practicum in Consulting” (a methodology for research).

The workshops will be carried out on Thursday, 14 September and Saturday 16 September 2017.

The president of the Dominican chapter of the confederation, Roberto Lluveres, issued a call to the different hotels, culinary, and tourism schools to send their students to these workshops to prepare them to conduct research and fieldwork that this project requires. The program will create an inventory of the principal recipes for the dishes, desserts and drinks the grace the Dominican table to safeguard this cultural patrimony.

According to the president of the Cassava Federation, Juan Febles, until now there are only a few cookbooks written in the Dominican Republic. He said that while without a doubt these are a great contribution to the Dominican cultural memory, many of these books are based on the personal or professional experience of the authors rather than the result of a holistic and systematic approach to ingredients and cooking methods that will give authenticity and a compelling food story to the recipes.

Bolivar Troncoso Morales, the president of the Dominican Flavors Federation, pointed out that the website saboresdominicanos.org will be an open source for Dominican gastronomic affairs.

The workshops will be carried out at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) from 9am until 4pm at the auditorium of the Faculty of Economic and Social Science.

https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...guardar-acervo-culinario-dominicano-KC8141095


Second phase of Monte Plata Solar to begin next month
A Curacao government mission toured the solar energy complex in Monte Plata hosted by General Energy Solutions, through its regional office of Electronic JRC, that operates the solar energy installation. A first phase of the complex produces 33 MW of renewable and clean energy. The installation was built by Solventix Caribbean.

During the tour, Arnaldo Bisonó, the manager for business development and the representative of Electronic JRC, announced that construction of a second phase and its interconnection to the national electric grid will begin in the fourth quarter of this year. He noted that the second phase of the project will complete 69 MW of clean energy for the national grid.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...-solar-iniciara-en-ultimo-trimestre-BC8141276


Another fatal death of a 16-year old girl
As investigations continue into the death of 16-year old student Kimberly Esther Adon, the authorities at the Hospital Traumatológicio Ney Arias Lora clarified that the patient was brought to the emergency around 2am on Sunday, 10 September 2017 by two 20-year old men (Francisco Abreu Villar and Joel Feliz Peña) and a 16-year old girl in a private vehicle. Adon died 23 minutes after being admitted to the hospital. The case is under investigation.
Preliminary examination of the victim showed cranial damage and symptoms of hypovolemic shock due to loss of blood. The body was sent to the Inacif for an autopsy.

Spokesman for the Police, Colonel Frank Felix Duran Mejía said that so far the evidence leads them to believe the death was caused by the traffic accident. But he said that the results of the autopsy need to be awaited to conclude the case.

There are two versions of the circumstances leading to Adon’s death – one that she was murdered when resisting a rape and her aggressors staged a traffic accident to cover up for the murder, and the other that she was killed in a traffic accident by a Montero Mitsubishi G113659 in which they were driving.

The family of the deceased said they did not believe their daughter died in a car crash as said by the persons who were with her on the fatal Saturday night. The grandmother said that the nurses who assisted in the case told her the girl seemed to have been strangled. She was a student at the Liceo Emma Balaguer, in Sabana Perdida, Santo Domingo Province.

The case is a second recent murder case involving a 16-year old child, the other being that of the late Emely Peguero to which her 20-year old boyfriend has confessed.

http://eldia.com.do/muerte-de-kimberly-adon-ocurrio-en-accidente/ https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...erly-murio-en-accidente-de-transito-GB8146787
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...68/kimberly-resistio-ser-abusada-por-verdugos
http://hoy.com.do/lo-que-dijo-el-di...obre-menor-muerta-en-extranas-circunstancias/
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...la-amet-a-tres-jovenes-por-muerte-de-kimberly
http://elcaribe.com.do/2017/09/12/p...muerte-de-kimberly-dice-fue-atropellada/elnue


It’s going to be hot today
While this is probably not news to many people, it has been sometime since the National Meteorological Office (Onamet) has issued a heat warning. While there are possibilities for showers across much of the country, Onamet is forecasting temperatures between 33°C and 35°C (91°F – 95°F) for today and possibly into Thursday, 14 September 2017.

The hottest areas will be around Santo Domingo and Onamet says that Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, Maria Trinidad Sanchez (Nagua), Samana, Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís), Santiago, La Vega, Monsignor Nouel (Bonao), San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, Santiago Rodriguez and Dajabon will probably have scattered showers because of a low pressure trough across the region.

According to forecaster Enmanuel Alvarez, Santo Domingo will probably have some scattered clouds and some rain, and in spite of this temperatures will remain high. Onamet also said that hurricane José does not present any danger for the Dominican Republic. Because of large waves, small craft warnings have been issued for the northern coasts.

http://elnacional.com.do/el-calor-seguira-hoy-y-manana/


DR defeats Argentina after going seven sets in U23 World Volleyball Championship
In what FIVB described as a “thriller”, the Dominican Republic under 23 years women’s volleyball team won its match against Argentina 4-3 during the 2017 FIVB Women’s U23 World Championship taking place in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The game was the first to go to the seven sets -- 21-23, 12-15, 15-12, 17-15, 16-14, 20-22, 15-5. It was the first seven-set match so far in the competition, lasting 2 hours and 3 minutes.

The DR got off to a sluggish start, but bounced back courageously to win the hard-earned 4-3 game, reported FIVB. The DR team coach, Wagner Roberto Rocha Pacheco, said that the Dominicans struggled at the end of the sets. Argentina coach Martin López said it was their best game so far, but the Dominicans had stayed calm in the deciding set.

With wins against Egypt and Argentina, the Dominican team is ranked third in Group A behind Slovenia and China. The DR next plays China on 14 Sept at 2pm and Thailand on 15 Sept at 11am. Match times are Dominican time.

The Dominican Republic is in Pool A with Slovenia, China, Egypt, Thailand and Argentina. Pool B teams are Brazil, Turkey, Bulgaria, Japan, Cuba and Kenya. The two best teams in each group will move to a semi-final round.

http://u23.women.2017.volleyball.fi...na-played-very-well-today--dominican?id=72902
http://u23.women.2017.volleyball.fi...ounce-back-bravely-in-epic-seven-set?id=72899