Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackStar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ohliz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackStar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some new pics were posted today though:

<a href="http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p248/BeachBum101_12/" target="_blank">http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p248/BeachBum101_12/</a>
</div></div>
But wait...did you see this? "Shell casing top floor hallway"</div></div>

I did, and was informed that the shell casing is from a gun type thing used in construction....baloney or not? </div></div>I'm leaning toward baloney, but what do I know about construction? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70456-eyebrows.gif[/img]

Tuff Gong's explanation sounds more plausible. </div></div>
It is statements like these that devalue ones views.
If you don't know about construction (as you admits), it may be prudent to at least give it the benefit of the doubt.
The casing looks similar to the type used in HILTI power nailers,used extensively in the construction industry as fasteners in hardened concrete.

[Yuriatin]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

Here's a pix of what they can look like ...

[Seveen]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

there is another huge "resort" being built between MoBay and Negril - not sure of the name - will do some research

the workers are on strike there

[ohliz]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">there is another huge "resort" being built between MoBay and Negril - not sure of the name - will do some research

the workers are on strike there
</div></div>

Hey you're back! How was your trip?

I didn't hear about the strike. There is a large resort being built just east of Lucea (I think it's the Sonesta), and another being built near Rose Hall (Iberostar)...I assume it's the Lucea one you mean?

Here are resorts planned for the next bit, every single one is massive, and most are, I notice, Spanish:

RIU Whitehouse
RIU Montego Bay
Sonesta - huge resort planned to open next to Tryall
Iberostar - 1200 rooms close to Rose Hall
Barcelo - 1600 rooms in Runaway Bay
Dreams - outside Ocho Rios
Sunscape - outside Ocho Rios
Secrets - outside Ocho Rios
Grand Bahia Principe - 1200 rooms, Runaway Bay

[Seveen]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

okay - it's the Fiesta Hotel at Lucea (Hanover) Point
passed by it yesterday and all the workers were sitting on the side of the road

also lots of talk about a sewer system for Lucea and "freshing" up the place for tourists - paint, tearing down old buildings and getting rid of the aluminum fences

they surely have a nice stretch of beach over there

i guess the whole of Spain will be vacationing in Jamaica with all the new hotel rooms

there were loads of Italians this trip - i recognized them by their Speedos [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[ohliz]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">okay - it's the Fiesta Hotel at Lucea (Hanover) Point
passed by it yesterday and all the workers were sitting on the side of the road

also lots of talk about a sewer system for Lucea and "freshing" up the place for tourists - paint, tearing down old buildings and getting rid of the aluminum fences

they surely have a nice stretch of beach over there

i guess the whole of Spain will be vacationing in Jamaica with all the new hotel rooms

there were loads of Italians this trip - i recognized them by their Speedos [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] </div></div>

Hmm. Why were they on strike? Let me go see the paper...

You'd think the whole of Spain would be visiting but most reports on the Bahia, at least, have been from Canadians. i think the idea behind allowing the Spanish chains to build so many large resorts is that they will bring NEW tourists to JA, not cannibalize from rooms already there...but so far I don't see that.

LOL, I thought all the Italians came in August....

[Blackstar*]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is statements like these that devalue ones views.
If you don't know about construction (as you admits), it may be prudent to at least give it the benefit of the doubt.
The casing looks similar to the type used in HILTI power nailers,used extensively in the construction industry as fasteners in hardened concrete. </div></div>Dr. D, I have no vested interested in proving anyone right or wrong, but the casings Yuri posted don't really look like the one in the photo upthread. Maybe I'm seeing wrong though.

[Seveen]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

this is what i saw

Stop order placed on Fiesta Hotel construction
published: Saturday | January 6, 2007

Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer

LUCEA, Hanover:

The Hanover Parish Council has served the Spanish Fiesta Hotel Group with a stop order on the construction of its 1,600-room hotel at Point Estate in Lucea, with immediate effect.

Reports from the council are that the developers have breached at least nine conditions of their building permit for the J$3.6 billion property.

The unanimous decision was taken during Thursday evening's finance committee meeting of the council after Councillor Lloyd Hill of the Sandy Bay division, in which the hotel is situated, moved the motion.

He had argued that the developers had disrespected the council by disregarding major conditions of the permit despite the council's multiple warnings.

Major economic impact

"I am very disappointed because I was looking forward to the development which was expected to have a major economic impact on the parish," Councillor Hill said.

"We wanted to put in all the measures to ensure that construction is monitored so that the buildings are structurally safe, and we have no collapses. Some of those conditions were ignored, and to that extent we feel the council ought to put a stop order until the developers comply. It is unfortunate but it is something we have to be realistic about."

Councillor Hill said that among the regulations breached were failure to provide a structural engineering report to certify the structural integrity of the buildings at the facility; failure to
From the Gleaner


provide a commissioned land surveyors'
report; inadequate supply of potable water; insufficient toilets; no provision of areas for vending food; failure to cover material to prevent generation of dust during transportation; failure to wet stockpiles of marl and soil to prevent generation of fugitive dust and failure to provide a fully equipped office to house a full-time parish council building officer at the site.

The construction site has been closed since Wednesday after scores of workers employed at the site barred the two entrances to the property, causing work to grind to a halt

[ohliz]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

Thanks Seveen. More:

<span style="color: #000099">Protest hinders health inspection at Fiesta Hotel
published: Saturday | January 6, 2007
Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer
LUCEA, Hanover:
Representatives of the Hanover Health Department were prevented from inspecting toilet facilities at the Fiesta Hotel construction site in Lucea yesterday, as the two entrances to the 200-acre property remained locked from the outside.
This was the second day of protest at the Point Estate work site where scores of workers on Wednesday barred the two entrances to the property.
The workers say they were protesting against the unsanitary working conditions, including insufficient toilet facilities, a lack of drinking water, medical facilities and areas for obtaining food and shelter. They expressed concern about an imminent health risk at the adjoining Bamboo Bay Beach, as workers had resorted to defecating along the beach strip.
Gates blocked
But when the health representatives arrived for the 9:30 a.m. inspection, they waited for more than an hour before leaving as the workers would not relent. The irate workers said the gates would remain locked until they meet with the contractors, and Fiesta representatives, to discuss issues of underpayment.
"I just spoke to a representative from Fiesta and he assured me he would inform me when their gates have been reopened so the Health Department representatives can conduct the inspection," commented secretary/manager of the parish council, Alfred Graham.
The health team included the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the parish, Dr. Dianne Stennett-Campbell and deputy chief public health inspector, Lloyd Stewart.
They were accompanied by members of the Lucea police and senior building officer at the Hanover Parish Council, Ava Murdock, who is stationed at the site.
Workers also complained to the police that one of the leaders of the demonstration had been beaten in a reprisal attack by a group of men on Wednesday afternoon and had to be treated at hospital.</span>

[Blackstar*]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

Good! Foreign investors can't expect to come to Jamaica and find slave labor. Pity workers in other "developing" countries don't stand up for their rights too.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackStar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is statements like these that devalue ones views.
If you don't know about construction (as you admits), it may be prudent to at least give it the benefit of the doubt.
The casing looks similar to the type used in HILTI power nailers,used extensively in the construction industry as fasteners in hardened concrete. </div></div>Dr. D, I have no vested interested in proving anyone right or wrong, but the casings Yuri posted don't really look like the one in the photo upthread. Maybe I'm seeing wrong though. </div></div>

I don't overstand his attack either...but you know it is the Doc.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ohliz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">(one wonders, where did the sand come from? Rivers like the Yallahs?? Natural beaches like at Little Bay?)</div></div>

<span style="color: red">NEPA seeks to take sanctions against Bahía Príncipe</span>
published: Sunday | January 7, 2007

Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

The Sunday Gleaner has learnt that the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is seeking to take sanctions against the controversial Bahía Príncipe Hotel for breaches of its construction permit.

Informed sources told The Sunday Gleaner last week that the environmental agency was seeking to have sanctions brought against the the hotel for constructing more rooms than was permitted, and also for what is believed to be an illegal importation of sand to create an artificial beach on the property. This is despite regulations that stipulate that earth material must be ascertained from officially licensed and approved quarries. A copy of the license must also be presented for inspection. The source informed The Sunday Gleaner, however, that NEPA has been unable to get a copy of the licence.

The source also noted that while NEPA was seeking to take sanctions against the hotel, it was facing some opposition from highly placed persons in the Ministry of Local Government and Environment.

Minister of Local Government and Environment, Dean Peart, confirmed that a letter had indeed been written to solicitor general Michael Hylton by NEPA seeking advice on the sanctions that could be taken against the hotel for allegedly advertising more rooms than they had been permitted to build. Bahía Príncipe hotel has been advertising 757 suites on its website when it was only permitted to build 658.

"They have written to the Solicitor General for legal opinion but that advice has not come yet. The advice has to go the board and the board then makes a decision as to where we are," Minister Peart told The Sunday Gleaner.

"We are dealing with the issues one by one," he added.

Meanwhile, the environmental agency seems to be having other problems with plans for phase two of the hotel development. Mayor of St. Ann, Delroy Giscombe, noted that there was also a concern about the number of rooms planned for phase two. NEPA has not yet issued a permit for that phase.

The hotel has been faced with a number of incidents that started during its construction, including a lawsuit by environmentalists, which temporarily halted construction of the hotel early last year.

<span style="color: blue">It could also be the second hotel to face sanctions by NEPA, following a stop order placed on the Fiesta Hotel in Point, Hanover, on Thursday, after that hotel breached nine conditions of its building permit. Among the breaches cited were: </span>

A failure to provide a structural engineering report to certify the structural integrity of the buildings at the facility;

Failure to provide a commissioned land surveyor's report;

Inadequate supply of potable water;

Insufficient toilets;

No provision of areas for vending food; Failure to cover material to prevent generation of dust during transportation;

Failure to wet stockpiles of marl and soil to prevent generation of fugitive dust;

Failure to provide a fully equipped office to house a full-time parish council building officer at the site.

https://<a href="http://www.jamaica-...lead6.html</a>

[ohliz]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

Indeed, TG, I just came to post that.

...and it is no surprise at all that the actual reason the Fiesta workers are not working is that they aren't being paid.

I feel a blu-like fyah bun coming on....

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ohliz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I feel a blu-like fyah bun coming on.... </div></div>

Wow!
You must be really worked up about this matter, because the last time I looked Blu-Fiyah was hotter than the Sun.

[ohliz]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

OK, maybe not THAT hot...but hiring people and not giving them toilets or water or PAY...yeah, that makes me a bit hot.