Junta de Vecinos de Cofresi - role model??
I vote strongly with Rick Snyder & MrMike.
* 'Nothing Ventured, nothing gained', as Americans, & probably others, say.
* Possible role models? Junta de Vecinos de Cofresi!
* This is a neighborhood group, focused in Playa Cofresi. It was formed to give the home owners, 95% foreigners, some leverage in dealing with 2 large hotels & a huge aquarium; with another hotel & a casino on the horizon!
* It was formed @ 2 years ago; dues? US$10 / month; most pay. Members? 50 - 150, my good faith estimate.
* 2 co-chairmen, co-chairpersons for the politically correct, both females, 1 Dominican & 1 American; both are intelligent & work hard; I'm a member; we have an active DR lawyer on board. Emails? every month or so. Meetings? 2 - 3 times per year. Usually well attended. The hotels have come to deal with us & respect us. The relationships are MOSTLY amicable!
* I serve as a member on some sub-committee. The purpose of my sub-committe is to promote DR fertility; we don't need to meet frequently. We have been very, very successful!!
* Politur patrols the area nightly, with the Vecinos paying for the gasoline.
* Not yet mentioned: would it be useful to have an organized, semi-permanent group of ex-pats to deal with the American & Canadian embassies when the ex-pats perceive major needs? Food for thought.
To Rick & Mike: don't give up! This is doable. Needed next? 4 - 6 people willing to donate / devote 5 - 10 hours per week to this possible project for 3 - 6 months. Nothing ventured, . . .