Sometimes, I feel like I'm back in my Communist country, and reading Sc?nteia ( what Pravda was in Russia) , where I was told to NOT believe my own eyes nor the People who were suffering.
but to trust " The TRUTH" as written in the pages of the paper published by the people who know what is best for all of us..
Like I stated in my post, I also personally know several Dominicans that lost their jobs, and we may even be speaking about the same people. For example, Juan, the head "of security" at Rumba. I believe you know him, and I certainly do as I have "helped him out" since Rumba's closing. I also know that he is now working over at City Lights as well as several other Rumba employees.
The point of my post was that ASOCOBAS makes exaggerated claims and their "protest" was a reflection of that.
And, no, I am not on the mayor's payroll, but if she is offering . . . I'm available.
Their propaganda continues, one of their representatives was speaking on a local radio program, a video clip was posted in this thread #1086, so take a look. At 1:17 of the video clip, the speaker representing the protesters, Daniel Mercado, made a claim that FORTY (40) businesses have been closed since and due to the change in operating hours. Even the interviewer repeats incredulously "CUARENTA?" and Mercado answers "EXACTAMENTE!"
FORTY ! ! ! . . . I want to see the list . . .
As an owner of one of the restaurants mentioned above I can say it must be nice to not have any skin in the game and not have to worry about losing your whole investment. I'm afraid I will be losing mine because corrupt politicians decided to do for the few at the top that can pay for their agenda and the rest of us be damned!! I definitely won't be hiring and instead quite possibly be closing. But as long as you've made your insensitive opinion everything is cool!!
The gentrification of the North Coast continues !!!
Wishing them well.........
It's only Sosua.
I don't know Willy, I mean Sosua is about Boobs not bricks.
Family resort area, call me wicked skeptic still. Heard this for too many years. I would like to see more restaurants though. Maybe I'll open a Pizza joint.
Things have been quiet in Sos?a for the last two weeks but there are some more changes coming.
The "usual suspects" i.e., bar and restaurant owners on or near Pedro Clisante, are in various stages of adjustment and acceptance of what has transpired since early June on their beloved street and center of town. The alphabet soup of associations supposedly representing them have been meeting weekly and writing letters to everybody but Santa Claus crying about the injustice. Their much anticipated "protest" failed miserably and yet they continue to make exaggerated claims about unemployment and business closings.
Some owners are making accommodating changes and converting their "bars" to "restaurants". Chez Monreal should be completing their renovation over the weekend and are reopening next week. Rumba is progressing with the renovation and expansion of their kitchen, the return of Rick as manager and the anticipation of re-branding as a restaurant.
Several business owners have expressed new found hope since the replacement of Francisco Dominguez Brito by Jean Alain Rodriguez as Procurador. Rumors of the closing times returning to later hours and the return of certain deported business owners are being propagated. Perhaps these will come to pass but this seems to be a group grasping at straws. Even if there is a return to the later operating hours, it is becoming apparent that this group represents a very small minority of Sos?a's population, thus a few are making "changes", some very reluctantly, in their own businesses.
However there is one refreshing change on the horizon for Sos?a that is actually happening right now and is not based on rumor or speculation and hopefully represents the future of investment here.
While much of the attention lately has been focused on a small 100 meter section of Pedro Clisante, one of the biggest investments in Sos?a in many years is taking place on that very street just a little further east. The old La Esplanada hotel, one of the largest hotels in Sos?a, has been purchased and is being completely renovated. Negotiations have been ongoing for several months and the deal was finally closed in the end of August. The new owners have some great plans for this property and are moving forward quickly. A January opening is anticipated.
With deference to the new investors, whom I've gotten to know very well over the past year, I haven't posted anything about the then anticipated project. However, the beginning of construction was mentioned in another thread and from this point on will be progressing rapidly. It will soon be attracting quite a bit of attention here in Sos?a.
The new owners are no strangers to Sos?a and their other investments here are very successful. They have some very interesting plans for this new project and they certainly don't adhere to the de facto business model of Pedro Clisante. Based on these plans and their willingness to market to a new demographic they are insuring that their success will continue.
Their success is not assured. There is plenty of risk in that location. But experience will be very helpful as well as knowing the right people. I wish them the best.
I am a little confused. The changes in the core is to rebrand from a bar serving beer and food to a restaurant serving food and beer.? My understanding is that Bourbon Street was the first to change to this new model and it is now business as usual being fully stocked with mongers and Chica. How is this considered progress in addressing the perceived problem?
CESTUR accompanied by prosecutors
http://www.sosuanews.com/index.php?id=4566&article=1
Following allegations that officers of the tourist police (CESTUR) arrest women walking alone and will release them after paying a ransom, the colonel of CESTUR took appropriate measures. Colonel Ignacio Pe?a Grull?n made the announcement in the TV program 'Todo Incluido' where Mayor Ilana Neumann, Deputy Tourism Minister Julio Almonte and the director of tourism Lorenzo Sancassani were also present. The Colonel believes that the rights of these women should also be respected. Henceforth with every arrest of a sex worker there should be a prosecutor present.
The release after an arrest should also be authorized by the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, the colonel pointed out that there have been rumors for abuse by officers of CESTUR, but that so far there is no evidence. The Colonel also said that women walking alone may only be arrested if they harass tourists or for outrageous conduct on public roads.
The attendees at the 'Todo Incluido' program made it clear that the policy for Sos?a will not be adjusted. This despite the protests last Wednesday August 31 by the business people of Sos?a. The closing times remain for the bars and restaurants, Pedro Clisante remains closed in the evening to traffic and the four discos and bars stay closed (for now). The mayor said that Sos?a has a lot to offer as a family resort. A beautiful beach, a paradise for diving, a variety of restaurants and fun bars. Sos?a deserves a better image than the bad image it has as a sex resort.
The mayor said that Sos?a has a lot to offer as a family resort. A beautiful beach, a paradise for diving, a variety of restaurants and fun bars. Sos?a deserves a better image than the bad image it has as a sex resort.
