Gutter Meat
06-12-2007, 05:43 AM
I've mentioned in another post how the early closing times actually increase crime. Here is an article in Sosua news and how true can it be!!!! This President just doesn't get it!!!
The chairman of the catering association in Puerto Plata (for bar, restaurant and hotel owners), Mr Rafael Torres Madera, has urged President Leonel Fernández to allow more flexible opening hours for bars and restaurants in Puerto Plata. The current compulsory closing times are midnight (on weekdays), and 2am (weekends), and this measure has financially ruined many establishments. Closing times in Sosúa are 1am (weekdays) and 2am (weekends).
Mr Torres Madera claimed that many bars and restaurants have seen their turnover fall by 90% since the owners were forced to charge higher taxes for alcoholic beverages. Tourists in all-inclusive resorts such as Playa Dorada find it no longer worth their while to enjoy a night out in Puerto Plata, because the bars have to close early. But the drop in turnover has also meant that many bars and restaurants have had to dismiss their personnel, which results in increased poverty among the local population.
The government hoped this early-closing measure would improve safety on the streets and reduce crime levels.
But it also results in increased poverty and families becoming so desperate that they perhaps turn to crime.
'As catering association, we've held a meeting with the governor, Cesar José de los Santos and other authorities in Puerto Plata, where we expressed the dire need for more flexible opening times'. The spokesperson indicated that if the closing times were extended to 2am (weekdays) and 3am (weekends), this would be acceptable to the members of the catering association.
The business community speaks of an emergency situation, and hopes that the President will respond quickly, and favourably.
The chairman of the catering association in Puerto Plata (for bar, restaurant and hotel owners), Mr Rafael Torres Madera, has urged President Leonel Fernández to allow more flexible opening hours for bars and restaurants in Puerto Plata. The current compulsory closing times are midnight (on weekdays), and 2am (weekends), and this measure has financially ruined many establishments. Closing times in Sosúa are 1am (weekdays) and 2am (weekends).
Mr Torres Madera claimed that many bars and restaurants have seen their turnover fall by 90% since the owners were forced to charge higher taxes for alcoholic beverages. Tourists in all-inclusive resorts such as Playa Dorada find it no longer worth their while to enjoy a night out in Puerto Plata, because the bars have to close early. But the drop in turnover has also meant that many bars and restaurants have had to dismiss their personnel, which results in increased poverty among the local population.
The government hoped this early-closing measure would improve safety on the streets and reduce crime levels.
But it also results in increased poverty and families becoming so desperate that they perhaps turn to crime.
'As catering association, we've held a meeting with the governor, Cesar José de los Santos and other authorities in Puerto Plata, where we expressed the dire need for more flexible opening times'. The spokesperson indicated that if the closing times were extended to 2am (weekdays) and 3am (weekends), this would be acceptable to the members of the catering association.
The business community speaks of an emergency situation, and hopes that the President will respond quickly, and favourably.