Las Terrenas Live
JULY 2008
The end of Windows XP
Microsoft will stop distributing the operational system
WASHINGTON. - Microsoft will stop distributing the Windows XP operational system to the principal computer makers and big commercial stores even if it continues to provide the popular application to smaller manufacturers.
On the Internet page of Windows XP, Microsoft recognized that the decision was difficult, but that the company reiterated that its compromise with the innovation »
obliged to replace it by the new Vista system.
Last year, Microsoft was obliged to delay the withdrawal from the market of Windows XP because of the rejection of much of users, as well individual as corporative, to replace the system.
According to the plan set up by Microsoft, it will cease providing the discs of Windows XP to the stores for the sale to the private ones.
But these stores will continue to sell copies of the program until running out of stocks. Microsoft will also stop providing XP to the big manufacturers like Dell, HP or Lenovo so that they don’t pre install it in the systems they sell to the companies and the private people.
The small companies of PC manufacturers will continue to receive XP until January 2009.
Finally, Microsoft will distribute Windows XP Home until June 2010 for its installation in computers of reduced capacities and those at very low price.
Listín Diario, 01.07.08
Caricom Summit
Tourist need for co-operation in the Caribbean
St John´s - (PL). The difficulties of the tourism in the Caribbean, with the world recession of the air lines companies, present many challenges, like to raise the level of co-operation and of regional coordination.
The Summit of the Community of the Caribbean (CARICOM) will devote for the first time one of the three days to analyze proposal of actions to attenuate the impact of the crisis which threatens this sector, vital for the economy of the area.
A joint statement of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) stresses that civil servants of the governments and executives of the private sector were joined in an attempt to minimize the effect of the fuel prices increase and, consequently, the increase of the plane tickets.
The majority of the Caribbean nations depend on the tourism receipts to manage their economy. And these financial resources are related to the oil price, currently at more than 140 dollars per barrel, which involves increases in the costs of the airline companies, electricity and other services.
Eight years ago, 15 percent of the price of the plane tickets was used to pay the jet combustible, while now 40 percent is necessary, according to the Air Transport Association of the United States, talking to the NewYork Times daily news paper.
If the prices are maintained on their current level, the American airline companies will spend in totality 61 billion 200 million dollars this year for the fuel, five times more than in 2002, when tourism had abruptly fallen after the Twin Towers collapse on September 11, 2001.
Consequently, these companies are quickly increasing their tariffs and add surtaxes for various reasons, to a point where the potential customers start to remain at home. And it is when the Caribbean tourism industry will receive the most extreme blow.
All the countries of this sector would be less affected if they act together instead of trying to face the crisis by themselves, said Allen Chastanet, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister of St Lucia and president of the CTO.
The governments understand now that if they do not cooperate to maximize the benefit or to decrease the risks for their countries, they will be obliged to be answerable to their citizens who will want to know why they refused to cooperate
, commented Chastanet. For his part, Peter Odle, outgoing president of the CHA, also expressed himself on this co-operation. Odle stressed that even if the co-operation between the CTO and the CHA improved during the last years, I see a greater co-operation in the destinations, where the private sectors ensure that their governments are committed in these projects.
We will go ahead by facing the crisis with a intra regional co-operation and not by fighting alone in our side, concluded Odle.
During the meeting of May with tourism Ministers and civil servants, four work groups were created, namely: marketing of the area, guarantees for the airline companies, businesses relating to the airlines flying in the area and centers of connection. The results of two of these groups will be presented to the chiefs of the CARICOM at the summit which will start tomorrow.
Diario Digital, by Elsy Fors, Prensa Latina correspondent, 02.07.08
Vin Diesel in Las Terrenas
« The fast and the furious »
The American actor Vin Diesel is currently shooting in Dominican Republic to film the scenes of the fourth part of the popular action movie « The fast and the furious » , informed today local Medias.
The first scenes of the film, in which will also star the Puerto Rican « reguetonero » Tego Calderón and the Dominican baseball player Sammy Sosa, were shot on Friday June 27, in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.
Shooting will continue in the localities of San Isidro and La Victoria, in the East and North area of the capital.
Some actors who participate to the film also arrived in the country, among them Calderón and the American actress of Dominican origin Michelle Rodriguez.
The Medias added that the Porto Rican singer Don Omar could also make an intervention in one of the scenes of the film.
On Tuesday, Vin Diesel was seen in Las Terrenas shooting jet skis scenes in the neighborhoods of El Portillo beach as well as in an old white Pontiac.
The shooting of « The fast and the furious » an action movie on the world of the illegal cars’races, started at the beginning of this year and its first is scheduled for June 2009.
Yahoo and LTL, 03.07.08
American Airlines suspends its flights to Samaná
This decision affects other destinations of Caribbean
NEW YORK. The powerful airline company of the United States, American Airlines (AA) announced the final suspension of its flights to the tourist pole of Samaná and said that this measure also concerns other destinations in North and South America, in Central America and in the Caribbean.
The company explained that the suspension of its flights to Samaná is part of the drastic reductions that it has to carry out because of the worldwide market crisis resulting from the exorbitant fuels prices.
The company also informed that because of these restrictions, it will have to dismiss thousands of employees.
The other destinations concerned are the airports of La Guardia and Albany in New York and the towns of Providence, Harrisburg and Saint Louis in the USA.
In September, it will also cease its operations in Oakland, London and Barranquilla (Colombia).
Diario Libre, by Miguel Cruz Tejada, 04.07.08
Expensive electricity invoices
The hotels complain
The National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) denounced the excessive amounts of the electricity invoices of its associates which operate in the tourist areas, through a letter sent to the president of the National Commission of Energy (CNE) and in which the association asks for the possibility of a policy which permits the sector to be able to be connected to the domestic network and to buy energy to more effective producers.
In this letter sent by the vice-president of Asonahores, Arturo Villanueva, to the president of the CNE, Arístides Fernández Zucco, on last June 12, Asonahores expresses the concern of the hotel regarding the long-term difficulty which will imply for the hotel and the tourist sector of our country, the current prices of the electrical energy invoicing.
Currently the hotels which are operating in the various tourist areas of Dominican Republic pay tariffs which exceed, in some cases, 0.30 US $ kWh (kilowatt hour), which represents an average daily cost by tourist from 8 US $ to 10 US $.
There are areas, as it is the case for Samaná, where the cost reaches 0.45 US $ per kWh,
explains the letter.
Listín Diario obtained a copy of the letter of Asonahores to Fernández Zucco who denounced two weeks ago the violations made by companies which have isolated circuits in Las Terrenas and in the province of Altagracia, as by two companies which operate in Uvero Alto. There are these companies which created the greatest distortion.
Consequently, the president of the CNE said that the distributors and the generators of electricity which makes pay for an electric service and which do not supply it must be subjected to Justice and be sanctioned by Law.
In answer, the Edenorte Company indicated that if one applies the sanctions recommended by Fernández, all the companies devoted to the energy distribution would disappear.
Meanwhile, the superintendent of Electricity, Francisco Méndez, required bringing the case before the office of the Prosecutor.
The vice-president of CDEEE, Radhamés Segura, also asked the president of the CNE that he indicates which companies are in fraud and he prohibited to any civil servant or employee of the sector to refer to the capacity of the distributors to comply with the Law.
Listín Diario, 07.07.08
Los Haitises
Temporary closure of the Park ?
Sierra de Agua, BAYAGUANA. – The Bayaguana (east) parish priest and Los Haitises National Park Preservation Committee president demanded that the Environment authorities temporary close it to relocate the hundreds of families who live there, as a first step to clean it and prevent the uncontrolled exploitation of its flora and fauna, mostly in danger of extinction.
Gregorio Berroa, in a mass held in the heart of the park, said the government has to halt the destruction that threatens the National Park. We’ll continue making peaceful efforts until the government relocates the families who live in CEA (State Sugar Council) lands as a way to control the zone’s habitat because it’s no secret that nowhere in the world is one allowed to live within a national park,
which togehter with the Ecological Reserve within it, were created in 1976.
He said the government must pay the inhabitants for their houses built in the zone and to graze them located in lands the CEA because he said it’s the farmers are the main cause of devastation in Los Haitises, where they plant short cycle crops, cut down forests and burn trees.
Berroa said if left unchecked the zone will reach the same deteriorated conditions of forests in the South region in a few years.
Dominican Today, 08.07.08
The « LIVE » Websites extend their national cover
15 new sites on the Dominican Republic from September 1rst.
After Santo Domingo, Santiago, Las Terrenas, Samaná and Dominican Republic, the « LIVE » Websites are upgrading their communication and their extension in the country with the new Websites of Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Bávaro, La Romana and Las Galeras as from September 1rst.
The transfer of the 15 existing sites on a new and more powerful server better adapted to the future prospects of the « LIVE » Websites obliged us this to stop putting online and we apologize for these inconveniences.
Fron now on, you will find our news and information services and they will be not less than 30 « LIVE » sites which will be online as of September 1rst to inform you on the Dominican Republic, area by area and city by city.
We wish you a good surf ! Thanks you for visiting us.
LIVE Websites staff, 10.07.08
The most beautiful view on the Atlantic Ocean !
Balcones del Atlántico in Las Terrenas
Ideal destination to enjoy in family or couple, laid down in a hammock in front of the beach, while the murmur of water of the Atlantic Ocean rocks your senses and that a fresh breeze caresses your skin.
It is without any doubt a divine feeling which could approach the Paradise, especially if this hammock is located in front of the property you acquired within Balcones del Atlántico, an exclusive real tourism project located in Las Terrenas, Samaná.
These properties were conceived to enjoy the incredible combination of luxury and nature.
The apartments, the villas, the penthouses and the townhouses which belong to this project are not simple buildings, but are conceived in harmony with a new concept which bets on the highest quality standards.
Balcones del Atlántico is the ideal destination for who likes the holidays and wishes move away for a few days from the hubbub from the city.
In addition to the natural beauty of the landscape of Samaná, coconuts, blue sea and white sand, the panorama of Balcones del Atlántico is enriched by an exotic furniture which mixes the luxury and the naturalness.
Contrary to other projects, Balcones del Atlántico also benefits the inhabitants from the Peninsula of Samaná. Workforces of the Community are involved as well as materials of the country.
Moreover, the investment which will be made through the complete project, which is about 400 million dollars, adds value to Las Terrenas.
Hoy Digital, by Millizen Uribe, 10.07.08
Great success for the Dominican Republic in Expo Saragossa
105 countries attend the World Water Fair
SARAGOSSA, Spain. - The sancocho of black habichuelas, the corn arepitas, the croquettes of yucca stuffed with cheese, the fish with coconut and the Dominican rum seduced the people who visited the Dominican pavilion in the Expo Saragossa 2008, represented by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural resources (SEMAREN).
The Dominican participation in the World Water Fair which takes place in Saragossa, created a magic contact thanks to the presentation of typical food and with the participation of the artists Sergio Vargas, Yleana Reynoso and Carlos Alfredo, who made dance the merengue and the bachata to the visitors of the 105 countries present at the Expo.
The secretary of Tourism, Lourdes Esperanza Peña, said that she did not expect such a success.
The Dominican Republic had a participation of first order in the ballet of the nations which work for the conservation of the hydraulic resources, because in addition to the fact that one installed a pavilion in which one offered to the public the craft industry produced in the island, the authorities in charge of the water sector presented masterly conferences on their role to prevent that this resource is exhausted.
The country introduced an offer within the framework of the Fair called « Mother of Water » “Madre de la Aguas”, by means of which the secretary of Environment, Omar Ramirez, stressed on what was obtained by the nation through various actions which were undertaken during the 20 last years for the safeguarding of the water resource.
INAPA Director, Frank Rodriguez, made a presentation of the national hydrological plan and prospects offered to the Dominican Republic, with the support of the Spanish co-operation.
Omar Ramirez developed the concrete actions carried out by SEMARENA, among which it quoted the national hydraulic basins, which are one of the fundamental points because they place the country as the third nation to establish a system of environmental accountancy from which it is studied how the water resource and the environmental sector can contribute to the national development.
El Listín Diario, Adriana Peguero, 11.07.08
2.2 million tourists visited DR
First half of the year
A few 2.2 million foreign tourists arrived to Dominican Republic during the first half of the year, which supposes an increase of 5.2 percent compared to the previous period, informed today the Ministry for local Tourism.
The Dominican Republic continues to consolidate itself as a tourist destination
affirmed in a press release the minister of Tourism, Felix Jiménez.
The civil servant explained that among the areas which increased their number of travelers there are Europe, (1.77%), Latin America and the Caribbean (15.98%) and South America (42.87%).
However, he said that the arrivals from the United States decreased by 2.45% but he revealed that the visits from Canada (second transmitter market of the country) increased by 7.31%.
In the same way, the Dominican tourist destination underwent a greater growth among the emerging markets like Russia, with 73.44%, Mexico (14.22%), Ecuador (54.05%) and Peru (41.07%).
Al Momento, 14.07.08
Construction of aqueducts in the tourist areas
Works for an investment of 13,054 million pesos
The construction of the infrastructures which will guarantee an optimal water supply for human consumption as well as the adequate drainage of the waste waters, work carried out by the National institute of Drinking Water and Sewers (INAPA) in the tourist areas of the East and North-East zones of the country, with an investment of 13,054.2 million pesos, will develop tourism in a determining way.
This information was given by the executive director of INAPA, engineer Frank Rodriguez, who specified that this work is ongoing in the Eastern provinces of La Romana and La Altagracia, as well as in the province of Samaná and María Trinidad Sánchez, in the North-East.
He explained that in the province of La Altagracia, they are building the aqueducts of Higüey, Boca de Yuma, San Rafaël de Yuma and Laguna de Nisibón, with an investment of 2,738.8 million pesos.
With regard to work in the zone of La Romana, INAPA is working to the construction of the aqueduct and distribution network of La Romana and of Los Mulos and to the sewers of Guaymate, with an investment of 2,456.9 million pesos.
In the North-East, they are building the aqueducts of Samaná and Las Terrenas, of Juana Vicenta and Carenero, work which will cost 5,703.8 million pesos.
He stressed that these provinces are enjoying a great tourist impulse, this is why the fact of guaranteeing an adequate drinking water supply, as well to the resident population as to the tourists, is part of a first order strategy.
Hoy Digital, 15.07.08
The Chileans like the sun and the Dominican beaches of the Northern Coast
The country in promotion at the « Caribbean Meeting 2008 »
The Dominican Republic continues to accumulate figures definitely higher than those of last year as for the reception by air of foreign tourists, particularly from South America.
This is shown by the 16.251 tourists who arrived from Chile during the first half of this year, exceeding 50.2% compared to the 10.816 recorded during the same period in 2007, according to the Central Bank.
By taking into account the fact that during the totality of the year 2007, 22.028 Chilean tourists arrived in the country, current projections show an increasing incidence of the country on this powerful market, result of the work developed by the Tourist Promotion Office (OPT), whose director is Carmen Rodriguez.
This growing interest for the Dominican destination was shown with the participation of the country in Work Shop « Caribbean Meeting 2008 »; organized recently in the Hyatt Hotel by Kuality, one of the most important Tour Operators of this Southern country.
Hotels and airline companies attended this meeting and exposed their products for the July August season to more than 300 travel agents. It should be stressed that those one shown a great interest for the Dominican Republic and commented the growth of the Chilean tourists on this market
indicated Carmen Rodriguez.
The director of the OPT of DR in Chile underlined qualities of our destination, particularly those of the Northern Zone, Puerto Plata and Samaná, and the growth prospects on this market reflected by the increase in the frequencies of the flights towards the country of important airline companies like Avianca and COPA. Collaborators who attended the activity received copies of Cotica 2008, the CD « Inagotable », maps and other materials of Sectur and were seduced by the savor of the Creole music through artistic productions.
Diario Digital, 16.07.08
Latin Tourism: Dominican Champion
The Dominican Republic is the fourth-largest tourism market in Latin America
The Dominican Republic is the country with the region’s highest receipts as a percentage of GDP, according to a Latin Business Chronicle analysis of new data from the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Its tourism receipts of $4.0 billion were the equivalent of 11. 1 percent of its GDP last year, according to a Latin Business Chronicle analysis of receipt data from the WTO and GDP data from the IMF. Venezuela had the lowest share - only 0.3 percent of its GDP came from tourism receipts.
All in all, Latin America received a record total of 68.6 million international arrivals last year, an increase of 2.9 percent from 2006. That was lower than the world average of 6.6 percent and the growth seen in all other regions.
Panama continues to be the fastest-growing tourism market in Latin America, but Uruguay is the winner when it comes to growth in receipts. Cuba is the big loser when it comes to receipts and Guatemala when it comes to visitors.
The Dominican Republic is the fourth-largest tourism market in Latin America, measured by both visitors and receipts. The top three markets are Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, according to Latin Business Chronicle.
The Dominican Republic boosted visitors by 0.4 percent to 4.0 million last year, while receipts grew by 2.8 percent to $4.0 billion. In the first quarter, arrivals grew by 6.8 percent. The Dominican Republic continues to prosper and the interest of ’big players’ in investing in the country is extending the range of markets on which it can draw,
the WTO says.
Dominican Today, 17.07.08
Big success in DR for the imports by private mail service on Internet
The purchase by Internet allows saving between 25 and 30 percent of the price compared to the traditional stores
With the rise of the purchases by Internet, the service of private mail acquired a dominant role in the personal and commercial imports in Dominican Republic, which are carried out by 80 percent from the United States, because of the long distance with Europe and of the high cost of its currency compared to the dollar.
While the service of express shipping (by plane) constitutes between 75 and 80 percent of the total of these imports, the correspondence represents only one modest 15 percent, ensures the manager Hernán González Ganoza, president of P.O. International box (POBI).
The another great attraction of the purchases by Internet - affirms González Ganoza- are the saving among 25 and 30 percent compared to the prices of the goods sold in the traditional shops.
The 300 thousand accounts of Internet access, which, according to the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications, provide a cover to 25 percent of the Dominican population, as the advanced technology, allow the Dominican network users to obtain the very latest fashion equipment and this quickly, he indicates.
There are many exchanges with the United States, thanks to the technological revolution which accelerated starting from year 2000. A lot of purchases are carried out by Internet on Websites like EBay and of the online stores like Amazon
, explains the director of POBI.
Many Dominican purchasers by Internet acquire in the United States electronics components like computers, numeric cameras and cell phones by airway; while companies bring heavy equipment and raw materials by maritime route, he concludes.
Diario Digital, 18.07.08
France and Dominican Republic
European Development Funds
In July first, was inaugurated the Tenth European Development Funds (EDF) representing 180 million euros, whose France brings the equivalent of 19% (34.2 million euros) which will be used in the development of several projects during 2008-2013.
The plans will be used to reinforce the fight against poverty as well as for the development of several infrastructures.
The details of the new cooperation program were made public by Madam the Ambassadress of France in the country, Cécile Pozzo di Borgo, who was invited to the Weekly Lunch of Multimedia del Caribe.
Mrs Pozzo di Borgo explained that the funds will be used to follow many concrete plans and she quoted among them the construction of aqueducts, roads and schools with an aim of contributing to the fight against poverty and the development of the country like giving a support to the government.
She added that with the European funds, one develops the Program of Support of the Modernization of the State, to contribute to the reinforcement of the legal and administrative system of the country.
Mrs Pozzo di Borgo specified that the cooperation programs are not only decided and financed by the offices of Brussels, but are defined by all the Member States of the European Union.
Residents
The ambassadress explained that there is a great flow of French people to the Dominican Republic.
She quoted a sample of roughly 300 thousand tourists who come every year in the island and who contributed to the launching of the tourist pole of Punta Cana.
There are also many French residents, officially, they are 2.500, but we think that it is the double who lives in the country and who is devoted to very diverse activities
, she exposed.
She indicated that there are several investments in the country of French companies, for example, Homs in telecommunications, the supermarket Carrefour, Conforama and a hotel chain in Punta Cana.
There is also other French residents who produce fruits and vegetables which are exported towards several countries like the United States and the Europe.
I would like to also stress that we have a network of honorary consuls in five points of the country, in the Capital, Santiago, in Las Terrenas, where are living approximately 2 thousand French people; in Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and a new person who resides in Bayahibe. What I want to say is that France is present in many Dominican provinces
, Mrs Pozzo di Borgo expressed.
Promotion of the culture
The embassy uses several mechanisms to support its culture in the country, there is a network of six French Alliances which cover all the country, she mentioned. The French Alliances are located in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Mao, Montecristi, Higüey and San Francisco de Macorís.
They are places where the French language is learned and where one organizes cultural activities.
Moreover, there are a French college with almost 500 pupils in the Capital and a French school in Las Terrenas with 120 pupils.
The ambassadress of France qualified as excellent the relations between the Dominican Republic and her country, in all the fields, since 1843 there is a long tradition, which was reinforced with the setting up of the French consulate and of an embassy at the end of the Second World War, in 1945.
Since then, one maintains good relationships in the policy, cultural, economic and co-operation sectors.
She underlined as an example of great satisfaction and of pride the exhibition of works of the Louvre Museum, presented recently in Santo Domingo and Santiago.
El Caribe, July 08
Total success for the Operative “Un día por mi pueblo”
With Eduardo Esteban Polanco (Willy), in charge of the operative
A group of 60 people…… 400 dustbin bags …. 2 trucks…
Appointment at 8:00 am in Playa Popi to begin this day of Sunday July 20, 2008.
After the operatives of Holy Week 2008, Playa Popi is clean again following this new initiative.
Then, the group went to Playa Las Ballenas, while crossing the entire village and all the beaches of the center of Las Terrenas.
A total success as well as regarding participation, as organization and motivation. Thank you to the Residence El Colibrí (Wannis), to the supermarket La Mina and to super Da Antonio for its excellent lunch…..
Very good initiative which is calling for an annual follow-up for the well being of our village.
Our future it’s the nature.
Hervé Brousset, ex « Limpieza Playa », 22.07.08
Balcones del Atlántico, the famous project whose everyone speaks about
The first step will generate 150 employments to reach 950 jobs at the end
The real estate company Bisonó Enterprises presented the first step of the project Balcones del Atlántico, which is composed of 86 apartments and is built in Las Terrenas, Samaná.
The tourist complex will be developed in four phases with an investment of 250 million dollars.
Work details were revealed by the president and the business manager of Bisonó Enterprises, Máximo Bisonó and Jorge Martínez, who stressed that the creation of the complex aims to the development of the zone, the employment growth and wants to give the impulse which is still missing in Las Terrenas, by making of this zone an impressive
tourist destination.
They informed that all the necessary studies in order that the development of the project does not produce a negative impact on the natural resources of the area were carried out.
They announced that the work will have two stations of treatment of waste water, in addition to the fact that a marine biologist was hired for respecting the eco system of the beach.
First quality local and imported materials are used in the construction.
Among attractions which the project will propose, they quoted a beach club, a spa, courts of tennis, a club house, a sector for children games, mini market, a church and rental management.
Hoy Digital, by Amarilis Castro, 23.07.08
WORLD NEWS
Hurricane : Levees hold but waters rise in Dolly’s rains
Thousands without power; rescuers searching homes, assessing damage
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Hurricane Dolly slammed ashore and then loitered over deep south Texas as a tropical storm, dumping as much as a foot of rain in places and ripping roofs off buildings with 100 mph winds.
Emergency managers waited for Dolly to move on late into the night Wednesday and hoped to begin assessing the storm’s damage Thursday even as they began to rescue people from flooded or damaged homes.
Dolly had weakened to a tropical storm by 10 p.m. CDT Wednesday after hitting South Padre Island around midday as a Category 2 hurricane. But the storm drenched south Texas as it crept westward at an excruciating 7 mph into the evening. The National Weather Service expected Dolly to weaken to a tropical depression, turn to the northwest and accelerate slightly Thursday.
By 4 a.m. Thursday, the tropical storm was centered about 95 miles northwest of Brownsville with maximum sustained winds that had dropped to about 60 mph.
Residents urged to stay home
Still the danger had not passed as power lines hung across streets and water surrounded neighborhoods.
Unless it’s life or death,
Tony Pena, Hidalgo County emergency management coordinator, urged residents to stay at home.
While the rain set records in Brownsville’s Cameron County — ranging from six to 12 inches with another three to seven expected overnight — they did not appear to pose the threat to the Rio Grande’s levees that had been feared.
The river rose steadily through the day in Brownsville, but did not reach flood stage.
We’re not experiencing any issues with the levees right now,
Sally Spener, spokeswoman for the International Boundary and Water Commission, said late Wednesday. The water is just not high enough.
Some residents surprised
But the torrential rains and fierce winds that lasted much of the day in south Texas still caught some by surprise.
By Wednesday afternoon, the community of Laureles north of Los Fresnos had been reduced to a chain of sunken islands, separated from the main roads by floodwaters of two feet or more in places.
Mailboxes barely peaked above murky, wind-swept waters where neighborhood loops met county roads.
More than 5,000 people moved to public shelters in the three hardest-hit counties and the numbers were expected to grow Thursday as more people became stranded by floodwaters.
In Mexico, rain is the focus
No deaths were immediately reported in Mexico, but Tamaulipas state Gov. Eugenio Hernandez said 50 neighborhoods were still in danger from flooding.About 13,000 people had taken refuge in 21 shelters, he said.
Strong winds are no longer the problem. Now we have to worry about intense rain in the next 24 hours,
Hernandez said.
Earlier in the day, Mexican soldiers made a last-minute attempt to rescue people at the mouth of the Rio Grande, using an inflatable raft to retrieve at least one family trapped in their home. Many people farther inland refused to go to government shelters.
The U.S. Census Bureau said that based on Dolly’s projected path, about 1.5 million Texans could feel the storm’s effects.Texas Gov. Rick Perry declared 14 south Texas counties disaster areas and sought federal disaster declarations. Perry was scheduled to fly over the region Thursday.
The last hurricane to hit the United States was the fast-forming Humberto, which came ashore in south Texas last September.
The busiest part of the Atlantic hurricane season is usually in August and September. So far this year, there have been four named storms, two of which became hurricanes. Federal forecasters predict a total of 12 to 16 named storms and six to nine hurricanes this season.
AP (Associated Press), 24.07.08
Anger is brewing in Las Terrenas
Meeting of the inhabitants
One month ago, the Public Works Minister Víctor Díaz Rúa, came to Las Terrenas to calm down a demonstration about the catastrophic state of the roads and streets of the village given up by the Solsanit Company, and left the reunion making the promise to the inhabitants of the municipality that he would come back the following week to asphalt with a first temporary coating.
One month later, the streets are still in the same state, the promise of the Public Works Minister is not held and a general anger is brewing in the village.
Yesterday the F.D.L.T. (Frente de Defendores de Las Terrenas) created by Fredy RUBIO, Sandro POLANCO, Guillermo VENTURA, George Cordero SANDOVAL, William PADILLA, Dionicio MARTINEZ, Moises DRUGARD, Gustavo VASQUEZ and Jose Alberto TAVERAS just after the passage of the Public Works Minister, convened the inhabitants to a meeting in order to put a term at this deplorable and lamentable situation.
In the presence of the local authorities such as the Mayor of Las Terrenas, José Alexis MARTINEZ, the Chief of the National Police force, Colonel Escolastico ACOSTA and the various representatives of the trade unions of drivers, conveyors and taxis, the F.D.L.T announced a general strike and a peaceful demonstration for Tuesday July 29.
The situation is unbearable. We did not see any will or desire to arrange the situation on behalf of the Government
said Mr GONZALES, President of the Trade union of Public Transport.
The Mayor of Las Terrenas, after a reading of the last mail sent to the Ministry of Tourism, denouncing the giving up and the absence of Las Terrenas roads and streets repair by the Solsanit Company, contracted by the Minister of Tourism Felix JIMÉNEZ for the realization of work, denounced the lack of clarity, of organization and of coordination.
He received in answer the confirmation that work would be carried out between August 1 and August 3, proposing to the F.D.L.T to postpone to August 4 the demonstration that he would support if nothing is done.
We are facing two problems. The first one is that Solsanit must assume the realization of work and the repair of the roads and the streets. The second one is that the Public Work Ministry must ensure the development of Las Terrenas
explained José Alexis.
An inhabitant pointed out that Las Terrenas was never supported by any government. If we do not commit ourselves, Las Terrenas will never develop and we thank the Mayor to have attended every meeting like today, which is not the case of the Governor Elsa de León, who as a first representative of the government should be here today.
The lawyer Antonio GARCIA GEORGE spoke to explain that the problem comes from Felix JIMÉNEZ, Tourism Minister who prevents the development of Las Terrenas to the profit of other projects in which he has interests. One day of strike will not change anything; the solution is to block the tourist buses at the exit of the all inclusive hotels so that the things can really change.
At the end of the meeting, the general strike of Tuesday July 29 was confirmed.
LTL, by Sylvain Maufrais, 25.07.08
Tourism will classify 150 Dominican hotels
Beginning of the first stage
A new hotel classification will be setting-up from July 31 with the inclusion, in its first stage, of 150 tourist places taken as sample, thus showing the development of the Dominican Republic on the tourist level.
It is an action combined between the public and the private sector which seeks, with the support of the Inter-American Bank of Development (BID), to reach the degree of excellence in quality, by homogenizing the hotels in the various categories of three, four and five stars.
For the qualification of the hotels, basic parameter of evaluation levels of services will be monitored for a period which will be developed in three stages, the first beginning the 31 of this month, the second in August and the third in October, so that on November 15, the first 150 establishments (large, small, on the beaches, downtown etc…) will be evaluated.
With this innovating step, the country enters in a new stage within the tourist area, to answer the globalization and to face competitors of Europe, of Cuba and other islands of the Caribbean, which are at the avant-garde on the level of the high quality services.
Radhamés Martínez Aponte, under-secretary of Tourism, explained that work is sponsored by the National Council of Competitiveness, with contributions of 250,000 US $ and 150,000 US $, respectively, by the Secretariat of Tourism and by the BID.
This new qualification of the Dominican hotels supposes important progress in the national tourism, since the homogenization is a need to face the international importance of the Dominican tourist sector.
The first stage of qualification includes all the recognized zones of international prestige, like Punta Cana, Bayahíbe, Bavaro, La Romana, Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, the Peninsula of Samaná, Puerto Plata and Río San Juan, and the properties of local and foreign chains.
Hoy Digital, 27.07.08
Resumption of work in Las Terrenas this morning
Agreement with the Government
Yesterday evening at 19:30 on the Channel 10, a meeting took place with the principal members of the F.D.L.T Association. (Frente de Defensores de Las Terrenas), namely Lic.Narciso Martínez PADILLA, Freddy RUBIO, Lic. Sandro POLANCO, Dionisio MARTÍNEZ, Guillermo VENTURA, Lic.Resali CORDERO, Moises DRUGARD, Elier MARTÍNEZ, José Alberto TAVERAS, as well as the Mayor of Las Terrenas, José Alexis MARTÍNEZ, the Chief of the National Police force, Colonel Escolastico Eusebio ACOSTA and engineer Manuel JAVIER, sent by the Government to repair the streets and complete the work.
A message of calm and to stop the demonstration was pronounced by mutual agreement at the time of this televised intervention and was following the return from the Capital of a delegation after having concluded an agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and Public Works.
This agreement is the following: Starting from today at 8:00 a.m., work start again with this new engineer who must, over a 30 days period, repair and complete the work started with Solsanit in the Duarte, Carmen, Mella, Sánchez and 27 de Febrero streets. Once finished, the streets will be asphalted in their totality and in a provisional way in order to avoid dust and mud until the arrival of the drinking water pipes planned in 3 months.
Work will be coordinated with the presence of the AMET and the National Police in order to set up deviations.
The Mayor of Las Terrenas thanked the support of the Senator Prim Pujal who did a discrete and effective work, as well as the various coordinators and the population for their support and the constant pressure which made possible the beginning of the work 3 days in advance compared to the planned date.
All the businesses will be normally open this morning.
Las Terrenas Live, Sylvain MAUFRAIS, 29.07.08 at 8h45 a.m.
Tourism Ministry suspends new Real Estate projects approbations
In Las Terrenas areas
The Tourism State Ministry (Sectur) suspended new approbations of Real Estate Projects in areas of Las Terrenas municipality, Samaná province.
The 02/2008 decision signed by Félix Jiménez, freezes these approbations, specifically for the zone that extends from El Catey Airport, in the East side, until the “Bahía Príncipe de Portillo” project in Las Terrenas
.
In its second paragraph, the decision establishes that the town-planning parameters in the Touristic Units or Centers of the Samaná province
, must be maintained, including the area between the East side of the El Catey Airport and the Cosón limits, with a gross density of 25 inhabitants per hectare.
Finally, it stipulates that the developers will have to describe in details the reforestation or forestation system that will allow to balance the tree vegetation lost produced by the works execution
.
The 02/2008 decision maintains itself in the attributions that are conferred to the Sectur by the Organic Law and the Territorial Organization of Tourism National Plan of Dominican Republic, from 1991, elaborated through an agreement between BID and Sectur.
The decision also applies to the works that are being elaborated by professionals assigned by the Sectur and the private sector for the indicated zone organization
.
El Nuevo Diario, 30.07.08
Asphalting of the streets of Las Terrenas
Beginning of the first stage
Only two days after the passage of the delegation of the trade unions to the Capital, the resumption of asphalting work in Las Terrenas already started under the orders of engineer Gabriel ORTIZ.
First stage: to fill the central trenches after compaction with a layer of asphalt and gravels.
Second phase: To complete asphalting of the streets.
The first stage started yesterday in the Calle Duarte where crossing with the Cosón road.
The work continuation will be carried out going by Calle Carmen, the Sánchez and Hospital streets and by the sea front in Calle 27 de Febrero.
LTL, Sylvain MAUFRAIS, 31.07.08
The Gaïa Club opens its doors tomorrow
The new discotheque of Las Terrenas
The long-awaited Gaïa Club
, the new Las Terrenas 3D discotheque of Sergio BLANCH, finally opens its doors on Friday, Agust, 1rst from 06.00pm for the aperitif.
Three dimensions, 3 stages and 3 ambiances for the Gaïa Club
, VIP area and Penthouse with sea view for those who like sunsets.
Sergio, as he does it very well, will welcome you with the last sounds thanks to his 2 resident DJs: Maximo and Blacky Mix.
Las Terrenas Live partner of the Bonche nights of the Gaïa Club
, will keep you informed during all the year about the must-see moments of the most IN discotheque in Las Terrenas.
LTL, Sylvain MAUFRAIS, 31.07.08
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