When I was in Santo Domingo this past August, I noted that the streets in many parts of the Districto Nacional (DN) portion of Santo Domingo appeared cleaner than I remember them from my days living there (1995-99). This was particularly notable in the Colonial Zone, Gascue, the Malecon (with all its trash cans and banners about taking pride in nuestra "Ciudad Limpia") and some of the major streets. I noticed little to no difference in San Carlos, however, which made me wonder just how deep the clean-up effort really went, even in the DN.
I noticed little difference in Santo Domingo East (Ozama) & West. I did not visit SD North.
The Dominicans I spoke to at the time that felt the DN had gotten cleaner pointed to Mayor Roberto Salcedo's efforts as the main reason. Some wondered if it would continue once he left office. Some said it was only possible because he got the cooperation of the national government (because he is of the same party), whereas the other 3 mayors did not (is that true, that they don't? Or just PRD talk?)
I'd like to hear from people living in Santo Domingo, especially if you have been living there for several years (and therefore likely to have a true "before" and "after" perspecitve). In your opinion:
Thanks in advance for your help!
Best Regards,
Keith
Green Team
* Or is it like it used to be for me in 1995-99 -- you never knew when the trash truck would show up, so you were always ready for that mad dash to the curb...
I noticed little difference in Santo Domingo East (Ozama) & West. I did not visit SD North.
The Dominicans I spoke to at the time that felt the DN had gotten cleaner pointed to Mayor Roberto Salcedo's efforts as the main reason. Some wondered if it would continue once he left office. Some said it was only possible because he got the cooperation of the national government (because he is of the same party), whereas the other 3 mayors did not (is that true, that they don't? Or just PRD talk?)
I'd like to hear from people living in Santo Domingo, especially if you have been living there for several years (and therefore likely to have a true "before" and "after" perspecitve). In your opinion:
- Has the DN become noticebly cleaner in recent years?
- If you answer yes to question #1, then to what do you attribute it? What is being done right? And is it transferable to other cities, if the mayors get fully behind it?
- If you think it has only improved in some parts of the DN, which ones, and which ones are being neglected?
- How big is the contrast with SD East, West & North? Beyond the usual excuses about competing parties, what are these municipalities doing right or wrong regarding their trash/litter problem?
- Is trash collection in your barrio (please indicate which one) now regular, and if so, at what frequency?*
- In your estimation, how many of your neighbors actually pay their garbage collection bill? Is city hall getting any better at collecting the money? Or is it periodically running out of money to pay contractors because it never forces citizens to pay their collection bills?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Best Regards,
Keith
Green Team
* Or is it like it used to be for me in 1995-99 -- you never knew when the trash truck would show up, so you were always ready for that mad dash to the curb...
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