We have been discussing the upcoming elections on May 16th, and have talked about the parties and the candidates for Senator. Now it is time to discuss the candidates for Mayor of Juan Dolio and Guayacanes.
Why should it concern you? Well the Mayor (in Spanish it is Sindico or Alcalde) has a lot more power here than in many overseas countries. He or she is in charge of the whole area in terms of road, lighting, schools, taxes, building permissions, beaches, security etc.
Guayacanes has only had its own mayor for 3 years, before that we were part of San Pedro de Macoris. President Leonel Fernandez appointed a mayor – Raoul Custodio who then lost in the primaries, and now on 16th May those who are able to vote have a choice of 3 candidates.
The first is Jesus Garcia who is with the PRI party. To be honest he has hardly any support at all so is unlikely to feature in the elections.
The main two candidates are from the main two parties in the country.
From the PRD Johnsito Hazim. The Hazims are one of the ten richest families in the country. Johnsito lives in Santo Domingo and has a house on the beach in Guayacanes. His family – originally from Lebanon – owns the National and Jumbo supermarket chains. You can visit his website at www.johnsitosindico.com
His proposal for the area is:
1. Sostenibilidad: No sólo de los ecosistemas, sino de las culturas y formas de vida tradicionales que los han conservado.
2. Autogestión: Como fundamento de la organización social de los pueblos y sociedades para evitar las dependencias.
3. Democracia Directa: Se privilegiarán los mecanismos propios de la democracia directa para la toma de decisiones.
4. Escala Humana: Se propugnará por el manejo de escalas que sean controlables por los seres humanos.
5. Descentralización: Se evitará por todos los medios la centralización y concentración de poderes, funciones, competencias y recursos.
6. Equilibrio Urbano-Rural: Se trabajará por romper la dicotomía y oposición existente al momento de abordar los problemas del campo y la ciudad.
7. Apoyo Mutuo y Responsabilidad Compartida: Frente al individualismo que caracteriza a las relaciones sociales, se reivindicará la cooperación activa y la solidaridad entre los pueblos y entre las personas.
The candidate for the PLD, who beat Raoul Custodio in the primaries is Danilo Feliz. He has lived here for many years, is neither rich nor from a rich family. His slogan is why vote for someone else when I am one of you.
You can see his information on www.danilosindico.blogspot.com or on Facebook – Danilosindico.
His plans for the area are more precise:
1. To encourage employment
A system of apprenticeships for young people
A local school for practical skills such as carpentry, electricians. plumbers etc
2. Urban tasks
asphalt all the roads
build a proper sewage system
build a local municipal market
traffic lights in Oasis
pedestrian bridges in Guayacanes near the school
3. Electricity
24 hour electricity in the whole area
use solar power wherever possible especially in those areas which have no electricity at all
4. natural resources and environmental issues
every town should have a park and green areas
the beaches should be kept clean
the sea should be kept free of sewage and construction materials
5. Heath
A series of ambulances for the area
a new emergency hospital in Guayacanes
6. Education and Culture
Night classes in reading and a whole range of topics like english, computers etc
free school transport
scholarships for university
a cultural centre for music, dance, theatre and film
a local band
7. Sport
Every area to have its own basketball and baseball facilities
Lots of no traditional sports such as Karate
Sporting competitions
8. Safety
The establishment of a municipal police force
video cameras in Juan Dolio and Guayacanes to look out for criminals
Work closely with existing police forces to make the area safer
There are less than a week to go to the elections, and the only poll available shows Danilo well in the lead. However, anything can happen!!