- Thread starter tee
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A lot of businesses closed in Sosua
Anybody near the action at la Bomba? Photos would be great. If I was there I'd be all over this.
9:00am about 30 people
10:00am about 150 people
10:30am the same 150 people
11:15am - - OVER.
At about 9:00am there were only about 30 people across the street from the Sos?a - Puerto Plata "carrito" stand.
By 9:40 more people showed up and they moved to the intersection at the traffic light at the entrance to Playero.
A truck with speakers was set-up and the "representative" speaking said they were there peacefully protesting, "as was their right under the Dominican constitution", to have the business operating hours in Sos?a returned to the same hours that Cabarete and Puerto Plata are currently observing.
He stated they will stay there protesting until the "authorities" from Puerto Plata came with "an answer". He stated they will eat lunch there, eat dinner there, and stay overnight protesting until they received "an answer".
At approximately 10:45am an official vehicle arrived, apparently from Puerto Plata. A government representative exited and spoke to the crowd stating that "Puerto Plata supports the working people of Sos?a and will work with them until a solution to the operating hour situation is resolved." Some more words were exchanged, he got back in his vehicle and left. Some of the ASOCOBAS members spoke and stated they will have another meeting this Monday at 3:00pm. The crowd dispersed peacefully at about 11:15am.
If you take away the police, AMET, the local press, and casual spectators you were left with a small group made up of several Classico, Merengue and Rumba employees, a few other workers from some businesses on Pedro Clisante, a few workers from the beach, a few taxi drivers, and some motoconcho drivers. That's it.
In the letter that was distributed throughout Sos?a which I previously posted, it was stated that "173 people had lost their employment" because of the change in operating hours for the businesses of Sos?a. Where they came up with this ridiculously exaggerated number, only they know.
I have two questions for all the ASOCOBAS members and their supposed supporters . . .
Where were these supposedly 173 unemployed Sos?a citizens and why were they mysteriously absent from this protest that ASOCOBAS has been organizing for over a month?
For a city with a population of approximately 75,000 people, this was a very, very poor showing of support.
While there may not have been "a much larger number of curious bystanders" there were quite a few in proportion to the "relevant people". For all the noise this group and some of their "supporters" have been making you would have thought they were going to bring Sos?a to a standstill.
To answer your question, yes, you got it right.
The popular Santo Domingo based radio station, ZolFM, is echoing the desire of Sosua business owners regarding re-establishing the old permitted closing hours.
It seems the plight of Sosua's business community is grabbing the attention of the whole country. This could be the beginning of the desired changes.
[video=youtube;1EjaFTD_5_A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EjaFTD_5_A[/video]
It seems the plight of Sosua's business community is grabbing the attention of the whole country. This could be the beginning of the desired changes.
[video=youtube;1EjaFTD_5_A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EjaFTD_5_A[/video]
If I could ask, why does it appear to bother you so?
I can tell you it bothers me; that I have to go home at midnight between Sun - Thurs, if I happen to be out. That is unless, one wants to go to Cabarete, Puerto Plata, or the Casino. Why are they able to stay open?
Didn't take long for them to:
1. Jack up drink prices within the first couple days.
2. Subsequently start charging RD$ 200 for 'certain people' to get in... then charge RD$ 200 for everyone else, regardless if you are playing.
It's not just the core bars that have to shut as you know, it's all within Sos?a region: Coco, Cucu, Jabali, Fraggle, Midtown, Jolly's, Spanky's, to name a few.
They also have staff including owners, bar tenders, waitresses, cleaning.
I don't think it's a stretch, to consider that this has affected a large number of people in various ways, especially in the slow season.
Others have posted here already, about the trickle down effect on the local economy.
Perhaps some of the '173' couldn't afford the pesos now to take a ride in, because as one can imagine, not all 75,000 you mentioned, live within the 'city' of Sos?a...
And what exactly are those "desired changes"?
Drak, did you miss the entire conversation about the government having a problem with blatant prostitution in Sosua? Therein lies your answer regarding Sosua's special treatment and the "desired changes".
No sir, it is hard to miss 101 "War on Whores" comments. :squareeye
I made no mention of that, because the current focus was about the closing hours that has affected all establishments; not just the core ones.
And if you were\are here, you'd also note that with the exception of Rumba, and the earlier closing times for all... things currently are as they were before the latest crack-down:
1. Street open at night? Yup.
2. Girls on the street at night? Yup.
3. Motos on the street at night? Yup.
4. Bars that let girls in unaccompanied? Yup.
5. Re-imagined Rancho Tipico? Yup.
The thread started about all the closing businesses... well for my part I've seen lots of new condos, plazas, hotels being built, opened, and developed over the past few years. Additionally, many places have closed and reopen afterwards. Reasons vary from renovations, going out of business, or new proprietors giving it their kick at the can.
Sos?a in my experience hasn't stopped being invested in, regardless of it's online image.
I absolutely understand, and support improving the image around here a bit for sure!
However, I think that the area can find a balance between the past, present, and the future.
And here in Puerto Plata we (the bar-owners on the Malecon) will have a meeting with Turismo this friday about changing the hours until 2 am on weekdays and til 5 am in the weekend (and this question came from Turismo, not from the bar-owners).
Drak, a "balance" is not what the government is looking for, but rather a way to maximize investments.
I suspect the Politico from Puerto Plata showed up to appease the group of people gathered, and that little will happen.
Just my guess. I am sure there are those that feel the hours of operation will soon go back to where they were before.
I suspect the Politico from Puerto Plata showed up to appease the group of people gathered, and that little will happen.
Just my guess. I am sure there are those that feel the hours of operation will soon go back to where they were before.
Hi BelgianMik,
Not sure your feelings on it, but if it were me I would be asking why 5am only on the weekend?
1. It is a 'tourist' destination right?
2. The international 'tourists' don't only come on the weekends, do they?
They're coming in and out daily, on planes and ships though the week; high season and low.
I'd be pushing for 5am week round, or even 24 hrs.
Most places shut of the own accord at a certain point anyhow, but it is nice to have a place or 2 that you can go through the night and into the morning if so desired.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Whilst I fully understand that there are a limited number of tourists ( and these will probably be North Americans or from Northern Europe) who feel such a desperate need to drink and party all night, there is also a by far larger population at large, which probably includes the vast majority of tourists who have chosen to live in the tourist destinations including Sosua and in the likes of ZC and the Malecon in Santo Domingo who do like to sleep at normal hours without disturbance the majority of the time.
Noise control is beginning to be tackled in many places in the country these days and sound equipment confiscated and premises shuttered for breaching environmental laws.
Why should DR be different to most other countries which strictly limit drinking and noise pollution? DR is very generous for allowing premises to operate beyond the national hours in tourist areas already and surely any extensions need the input of the local population and not just bar owners.
Public opinion and challenge is becoming a greater factor in the decision making and the noise controls in the capital exemplify this as does the challenge to Hard Rock. Yes the people have a voice too.
I think post #1083 is demonstrating something very clearly. The nightlife some want in Sosua is not wanted by the vast majority.
For the bar owners who want to get better exemptions for a tourist zone, you need to think up a new plan to be tourist friendly yet resort and neighborhood friendly too. Understand what the vast majority do not want and adapt. Late night drinking can be acceptable to everybody in an enclosed premise without noise affecting those living all around.
And now a word of caution to those that choose this or other tourist destinations for the long winter or for a holiday home. Check out the neighborhood and the night time noise. Dominican establishments and Dominicans can be excessively noisy.
Make the wrong choice and it can ruin your time in DR. Sleeplessness makes for an angry person.
If longer
This is one of the reasons I love the Caribbean....Night time is the time for noise, life at it's best.
I'm by no means advocating partying and crazy all night long...
aranoid:As mentioned previously, I said I'm also for improving the local image.
My point is that I don't live on a 9 - 5 clock, and occasionally enjoy socializing after midnight. I'm not alone in this, as I know many others do too. Personally I'd be happy with local times at 3am again at the least.
While I do appreciate some loud music from time to time, I also agree with the limiting of noise and controlling zones where this occurs.
I like to sleep too, and enjoy relative quietness. :ninja:
Yes in DR we have loads of resorts with associated casinos and clubs to satisfy your needs. The same on the Malecon. In Jamaica, St Maarten, Aruba, Curcacao and Nassau the late night action is segregated from the population. In the smaller islands ditto and they have environmental laws for the benefit of regular citizens.
Simple imo to satisfy all. Board up if you are in a built up area and you want customers to drink late so the noise doesn't offend the vast majority. It doesn't happen because it is a money thing unless the authorities act. Money rules. Be respectful.
That was not my experience in Jamaica. Maybe in the large cities but not in towns like Sosua.
I find Sosua to be a very quiet town at night in my experience.
The islands are far more regulated than DR.
Anyhow the good news for all of us that like a good nights sleep is that Dominguez Brito has taken over the Medio Ambiente portfolio and hopefully the noise controls now get firmly implemented.
Here's a bit on Alain Rodriguez from Hoy today........no respite on the AG approach is my guess..
http://hoy.com.do/jean-alain-rodriguez-reitera-que-luchara-contra-la-delincuencia-y-la-criminalidad/
but the DR is in the minor leagues when it come to noise compared to many of the islands.