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Official information from Costambar Board of Directors – February 2015

The 2015 Annual General Assembly is now history. As usual, the number in attendance left something to be desired, but that did not translate into lack of interest about Costambar issues, which were openly aired and debated. The first issue to surface was the large number of potholes throughout the community, a criticism APC accepted as valid. In its defense however, it is opportune to clarify the two main reasons no repairs have been undertaken so far, are lack of funds and the intermittent rainy weather, as no cement repairs can be successfully undertaken under such circumstances. APC has plans to start potholes repairs as soon as the rainy weather stops and for as long as the financial situation allows. In addition, APC has instituted a monthly 200 peso per account charge destined to go directly into a road repair fund, as a way of resolving the lack of funds issue. If everybody complied with this request for a small contribution, there would be enough money to institute a year-round pothole repair program. Please go to the office and pay your small share. Anyone may contribute more if so desired.

After much discussion, a 2015 budget that mirrored the expenditures of 2014 was voted in. A motion to publish the list of those in arrears in maintenance dues on the website was made from the floor and passed unanimously. APC records indicate that 49.2% of its members are paying their dues, while 50.8% are not. Paying members are also listed.

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Costambar Newsletter

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Official information from Costambar Board of Directors – January 2015

APCCostambar.com is the new official website for APC. It provides nearly everything you might imagine about APC activities, finances and membership, as well as the legal statutes and regulations affecting our community. Designed to provide answers to questions about the association’s efforts on your behalf, it also includes an event calendar of community activities. Go to APCCostambar.com on your smart phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer and check it out. If you have suggestions or comments about the website or any other APC activities, please contact an APC board member.

A Costambar Town Hall Meeting was held on January 13 at Sole Mio Restaurant. Approximately 50 people attended the meeting, which featured updates on security, water, roads, mosquito control and other community-wide concerns. Thank you to everyone who attended and to the restaurant’s owners for hosting the event. Nearly every speaker emphasized that more Costambar owners need to pay dues to keep the community safe and well-managed.

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Official information from Costambar Board of Directors – December 2014

Welcome back snowbirds and hello again to year-round residents! The APC Board of Directors continues to meet all year long, sometimes with the benefit of video-conferencing technology. During the winter, however, it’s time for all the board members to meet face to face as we continue to work on behalf of everyone in Costambar–owners, residents, renters, visitors. We’re trying to be as inclusive as possible to make Costambar a happy, prosperous and safe community.

Two officers of the board elected last year have resigned for health reasons. Many thanks for their service and well wishes to both Stanley Bobick and Stephanie Kluke. As a result, Don Docker, formerly vice president, is now president, and Gary McCay from Australia has been voted in as a vocal, as stipulated in Art. 9-D of the Costambar Statutes of October 9, 2011.

Gary lived 14 years in China and has one factory there and one in the Puerto Plata Free Zone. His company, ROK Straps, manufactures and markets elastic luggage straps and dog leashes, etc. He has served as  president of his sailing club and as president of the Inventors Association of Australia. His aspirations for Costambar: A secure happy environment where people work together for the common good. Finding volunteers is not easy so please express your appreciation to all the board, both past and present, for the personal time they devote on your behalf.

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Official information from Costambar Board of Directors – April 2014

The roles of APC and the Security Committee need clarification, since there seems to be some widespread confusion surrounding this subject.

APC (Association of Proprietors of Costambar) is the governing body of Costambar, through a Board of Directors elected every two years. APC is also the maintenance company that provides services to residents in the project. Those services include: security, grass cutting, maintenance of streets plus common areas and lighting. APC also used to collect garbage until February 2013, when the PP City Hall (Ayuntamiento) took over this function. APC must therefore charge all residents a monthly quota, so that it can provide those services. If residents do not pay those quotas, APC simply cannot properly fund those needed services, which then generates unfair complaints from residents. Additionally, APC deals with municipal, provincial or national authorities when the need arises. Contrary to some misconceptions, APC has nothing to do with or is responsible for supplying residents with electrical power, water or telephone services, as residents must contract individually for those services with the respective utility companies, where you must direct a complaint if you have a problem with their service.

The Security Committee is an independent organization created by a small group of concerned residents in 2010, with the goal of supporting APC’s Security operation in Costambar. It is not an elected body or directly connected to APC. It has no administrative mandate or responsibilities. It collects donations for the purpose of aiding APC’s Security operations in Costambar. This committee currently has some 45 contributing members. Membership is only achieved by contribution; there is no other requirement. The Security Committee financially aids APC by providing: uniforms, boots, caps, weapons, ammunition, communication and surveillance equipment plus an SUV and some motorcycles donated by Costambar residents for the use of Security.

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Costambar Newsletter

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Official information from Costambar Board of Directors – March 2014

The Security Committee has issued a list of Costambar businesses that are granting a 5% discount to customers that have contributed their annual minimum contribution in one lump sum. The list keeps growing and now includes:

Jenny’s Market
Ferreteria Costambar
Farmacia Tropical
El Catamaran (on the beach)
Minerva’s Restaurant
Sole Mio Restaurant
Italian Way Restaurant
Papillon Restaurant (Cofresi)
EL Barco Restaurant (on PP malecon)

Thanks to Margaret & Bob Curtis for having come up with such a novel and effective idea of promoting donations to the Security committee. The committee has now received contributions from the following members, which we now thank:

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Official information from Costambar Board of Directors – Feb 2014

Immediately after it was sworn in, the Board has gone to work:

The Security Committee met on Feb. 6-2014 with some 20 members attending, as well as the National Police. Voluntary donations amounted to RD$ 134,000, plus RD$ 23,540 donated by the Costambar Travel Group “Funraisers”, as a result of their recent trip to Punta Rucia/Cayo Arena area. Additionally, members of the committee have secured a commitment from several Costambar businesses, to grant a 5% discount on goods and services to those persons that contribute not less than RD$ 7,200/year to the Security Committee in a lump sum. Businesses that are already on board are: Jenny’s Market, the restaurants Minerva, Gennaro’s Italian (on Calle Central) and Catamaran on the beach (in Costambar) and El Barco on the PP malecon. It is hoped other businesses will join in soon. Donors have received a special numbered laminated card that identifies them as entitled to this discount. But more help is needed and if interested in making a contribution to your Security, contact Jack Cameron at (809) 970-7197. We thank all those members that donated and have returned to the fold as promised.

The abandoned Security SUV was repaired for RD$ 10,000 (US$ 234), engine and transmission oil changed, new alternator and battery, cleaned and washed. It is now ready for duty.

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