SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican government on Monday announced an auction of more than 1,000 luxury vehicles which were used by officials, as part of president Danilo Medina’s ban on their use, aimed at lowering fuel consumption and air pollution.
Finance minister Simon Lizardo said the number of vehicles to go on the auction block has been confirmed and await only the go-ahead from Administrative minister Jose Peralta and Presidency chief of staff Gustavo Montalvo.
He official said yet to be determined is the amount expected from the sale of those vehicles, and what the bidding process would be. "It’s an almost natural depreciation process to replace one vehicle with another, but because the policy on which vehicles should be purchased is the Administrative Ministry’s prerogative."
Lizardo said the auction is slated for November.
Medina ordered the change from large vehicles for use by officials to save fuel and banned the use of credit cards, with the exception of the President, the Vice President and the Governor of the Central Bank.
From: United States, Brooklyn
I wonder how the Haitians will take this news?
From: Cuba, La Havana, Que Viva La Revolucion
Dreamkillers, DREAM CAR
a Black Lincon with 6 inch White walls
Written by: raulm, 30 Oct 2012 8:28 AM
From: United States
CarlosFranco maybe your light skin but think your white but your bigorty won't end until it is used against you, and it will just wait, a spanish man living in the U.S. Your mixed with something and maybe don't know it or want to make-believe your not, but you have no reason to be prejudice against any race of people. You was not born with it, it was a learned behavior. Therefore retrain your mind thur your spirit and your sleep better and it might save your life.
Written by: RoyStone, 30 Oct 2012 8:32 AM
From: Australia
Ahhh so once each car has a new owner, it will no-longer cause air pollution?
Written by: Vivacuba, 30 Oct 2012 8:35 AM
From: Dominican Republic
no big deal. CIA funded the vehicles anyway. no loss for the Dominican people
Written by: riosm, 30 Oct 2012 8:37 AM
From: United States
More then a 1000 gas guzzling luxury vehicles up for auction.....WOW ! At today's high gas prices in the DR....I can see the long line of bidders now...get real.
Written by: RoyStone, 30 Oct 2012 8:49 AM
From: Australia
Maybe their original "owners" will buy them at bargain prices, then still fill them at the tax-payers' expense as usual?
From: Dominican Republic
My thoughts exactly Roy!
From: United States
says Roy
.
Written by: RoyStone, 30 Oct 2012 8:32 AM
From: Australia
Ahhh so once each car has a new owner, it will no-longer cause air pollution?
these guys believe that when the cars change ownership, they also change characteristics. now they will burn less gas
From: Dominican Republic
Actually, likely more pollution, as the average car sold will no longer get serviced...until it does not run.
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Really , this is a good news story ,The removal of this fleet of cars , the banning of the use of credit cards by government officials , the elimination of double dipping into pensions and the cessation of other rorts is proof that Danilo IS tring to reduce the administration expenses ,,He has also reduced the numbers of the Presidential guard I hope the entire fleet is purchased by an overseas country and so that will be the end of that
From: United States
can you say IMF?
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Yes , maybe the IMF gave the push in the right direction ..if so , well done
Written by: Atabey, 30 Oct 2012 9:35 AM
From: United States, NYC
Written by: Ricardolito, 30 Oct 2012 9:15 AM
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Yes , maybe the IMF gave the push in the right direction ..if so , well done.
Indeed. I have news for Dready: the IMF also gives similar "advice" to Jamaica. LOL
Written by: generoso, 30 Oct 2012 9:52 AM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
Seems to me like another spin, on the governments feeble attempts to reduce wasteful consumption.
The main question should be:
Will the government replace these gas guzzlers for brand new four cylinder expensive jeepetas?
If the answer is yes, them we are just spinning around in circles once more.
Makes as much sense as buying an very expensive hybrid vehicle to save gas, in order to amortize the cost, one would have to spread fuel savings over 20 years time, at the very least.
From: United States
you have no news for me, Atabey. i have read more about the IMF than you will ever learn if you live to be 200 years of age. the IMF gives the same prescriptions for every developing country
Written by: RoyStone, 30 Oct 2012 10:14 AM
From: Australia
I just love that politically-correct euphemism, "developing" country!
There are no blind people any more, just visually-challenged
There are no fat people any more, just generously-proportioned
There are no vegetables any more, just very-special individuals
And there are no primitive, backward, collapsing, failed narcokletocracies any more, just developing countries.
Written by: bernies, 30 Oct 2012 10:18 AM
From: United States, key west fl
The government will not be buying any more vehicles because there is a decree by the president that says no more new vehicle for government officials or enteties until 2014. This proves that Danilo is thinking with his head to stop all of the wastefull government expenses. Just think about it each one of the cars used expend between 15 to 25000.00RD per month in fuel and this is a great saving for the country. The government is not to mandate the people of this country what car they have to drive so whoever buys this cars have the right to use it without having the government telling them not to drive 6 and 8 cilindros cars. It is call democracy where people are free to purchase the car or whatever they want without any restriction from the government.
From: United States, Richmond, Texas
Now an individual will have to pay for the fuel, not the govt.
Written by: tomito, 30 Oct 2012 10:35 AM
From: United States
A good move in the right direction by Danilo, now let's see if the auction is transparent and these vehicles are not sold for pennies, if (and that's a big if) done properly, it sends a good message. Some people here have made whining a way of life, " Palo si boga y palo si no boga". Let's applaud the good measures and oppose the bad ones.
From: United States
says bernies
. It is call democracy where people are free to purchase the car or whatever they want without any restriction from the government.
bernies, have you ever worked in government? not in a mail room, or file room, but actually in policy making? don't give me an answer. i already know it. why do you think countries sometimes apply currency controls? i mean, its your money. if you want to take your entire bank account with you every time you get on a plane, you should be allowed to. it is your money, after all. democracy in action. so, next time you board a plane for another country, just throw 50,000 dollars in your carry on. when they flag you, tell them that you live in a democracy, it is your money, and you should have a right to move it around, as you see fit.
Written by: josean, 30 Oct 2012 11:15 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Saint Danilo is copying what French President Hollande did months ago!
I would force NARCO Lie-onel and the rest of the Gang of 27 who authorized the Purchase of these Gas-guzzuling Dinosaurs to personaly purchase them back at the Full Original cost to the Dominican Taxpayers!
There should be consequences to these PURPLE geniuses for acting so irresponsible and stupid and buying cars that we can't afford or maintain!
Written by: josean, 30 Oct 2012 11:21 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
The PLD its self should be sued by the Dominican TAX PAYERS to recover what they spend form the public coffers on the elections above and beyond what they were authorized and allotted under the election laws!
From: United States
"The PLD its self should be sued by the Dominican TAX PAYERS"
Good luck with that. This isn't the best solution but at least let's see how it goes. You KNOW that sueing the PLD would net "zero" dollars (RD os US) and, even if the lawsuit was successful, anybody with any money would hide it or just leave the country.
At least this way some economic gain can come out of it. However, I have to agree that it does less than nothing for any polution problems. Maybe the Cubans want them. God knows they could use some new cars.
From: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), The Dentist will see you now
josean got out of car washing lackey business just in time
Written by: DomRat, 30 Oct 2012 11:57 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Another good move by Danilo, not so much fun for some of these folk once their dog washing chauffeurs got sent to active duty and no more fill ups with the Gov. credit card made things difficult for their former style of life. Danilo is going about things pretty well on my score card. Can’t do everything at once but making some damn good inroads. I am not too happy about a big tax package. I like this trimming of expenses much better as then what is collected maybe better spent or applied against debits.
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera
As often is the case it's difficult to interpret exactly what this report says. No idea if this is because of Government gobbledegook or a bad translation but the implication where it says "It’s an almost natural depreciation process to replace one vehicle with another" and "Medina ordered the change from large vehicles for use by officials to save fuel" seems to imply that these vehicles were due to be changed in any case and will be replaced by others to be allocated to the officials who had the use of these.
Whilst replacing them with less luxurious vehicles which use less fuel, in principal, is a good idea the comment by #generoso is very valid and it still seems that all these officials will end up with new cars whose cost is likely to exceed the amount gained by selling older luxury cars at auction. Especially as auctions in the D.R. generally seem to be rigged with the items going to those in the know at knock down prices and not an open auction where the best price is paid
Written by: josean, 30 Oct 2012 2:00 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
actionshots,
So you what your saying is the DR is a Failed State where the Rule of Law means nothing and criminal politicans can get away with anything?
I agree 1000%!
From: United States
you mean like those Hyundai buses and cars which sold for a few pesos each?
Written by: Atabey, 30 Oct 2012 2:57 PM
From: United States, NYC
Dready,
As others have pointed out it's a move in the right direction. And in DR that's real important. So many people believe nothing will change. Just read our local Loco Josean: all news is either Metro, PLD, or LF.
Written by: josean, 30 Oct 2012 3:02 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Speaking of Bull Shit Guzzlers!
Written by: juanb, 30 Oct 2012 5:01 PM
From: Dominican Republic
This story is sooooo misleading.
These cars are "possibly" going to be auctioned so that they can be replaced by new ones. They are going to save pennies in gas consumption but they are going to spend millions on new vehicles for the elected elite.
From: United States
says Atabey
Written by: Atabey, 30 Oct 2012 2:57 PM
From: United States, NYC
Dready,
As others have pointed out it's a move in the right direction. And in DR that's real important. So many people believe nothing will change. Just read our local Loco Josean: all news is either Metro, PLD, or LF.
poor soul. always late for the party. i was one of the first people to express the idea that Danilo appears to be making a step in the right direction. you need to leave home early, so you get to the dinner before everything has been eaten.
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Well the truth seems to be that many deputies and officials who have lost their positions still have retained their government cars and probably still have their government credit cards . Now it is the responsibility of the department of capital assets to recover the cars and sell them as soon as possible ..I wonder if this is just a desire or will be a Presidential decree ??
Written by: josean, 30 Oct 2012 7:28 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
jb,
As usual you hit the proverbial nail on the head!
Written by: josean, 30 Oct 2012 7:35 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Notice how ALL the Purple Clapping Seals are against a Top to Bottom Forensic Investigative Accounting!
I wonder what they're afraid will be revealed?
All these little pronouncements are just dancing around the edges for media consumption to see if opposition to the TAX MUGGING Dies Down!
Written by: juanb, 30 Oct 2012 8:25 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Josean:
Don't you realize that's only because they believe that forensic accounting is only done by PRD members.
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
I wonder how the Haitians will take this news?
Dreamkillers, DREAM CAR
a Black Lincon with 6 inch White walls
.
Written by: RoyStone, 30 Oct 2012 8:32 AM
From: Australia
Ahhh so once each car has a new owner, it will no-longer cause air pollution?
these guys believe that when the cars change ownership, they also change characteristics. now they will burn less gas
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Yes , maybe the IMF gave the push in the right direction ..if so , well done.
Indeed. I have news for Dready: the IMF also gives similar "advice" to Jamaica. LOL
The main question should be:
Will the government replace these gas guzzlers for brand new four cylinder expensive jeepetas?
If the answer is yes, them we are just spinning around in circles once more.
Makes as much sense as buying an very expensive hybrid vehicle to save gas, in order to amortize the cost, one would have to spread fuel savings over 20 years time, at the very least.
There are no blind people any more, just visually-challenged
There are no fat people any more, just generously-proportioned
There are no vegetables any more, just very-special individuals
And there are no primitive, backward, collapsing, failed narcokletocracies any more, just developing countries.
. It is call democracy where people are free to purchase the car or whatever they want without any restriction from the government.
bernies, have you ever worked in government? not in a mail room, or file room, but actually in policy making? don't give me an answer. i already know it. why do you think countries sometimes apply currency controls? i mean, its your money. if you want to take your entire bank account with you every time you get on a plane, you should be allowed to. it is your money, after all. democracy in action. so, next time you board a plane for another country, just throw 50,000 dollars in your carry on. when they flag you, tell them that you live in a democracy, it is your money, and you should have a right to move it around, as you see fit.
Saint Danilo is copying what French President Hollande did months ago!
I would force NARCO Lie-onel and the rest of the Gang of 27 who authorized the Purchase of these Gas-guzzuling Dinosaurs to personaly purchase them back at the Full Original cost to the Dominican Taxpayers!
There should be consequences to these PURPLE geniuses for acting so irresponsible and stupid and buying cars that we can't afford or maintain!
The PLD its self should be sued by the Dominican TAX PAYERS to recover what they spend form the public coffers on the elections above and beyond what they were authorized and allotted under the election laws!
Good luck with that. This isn't the best solution but at least let's see how it goes. You KNOW that sueing the PLD would net "zero" dollars (RD os US) and, even if the lawsuit was successful, anybody with any money would hide it or just leave the country.
At least this way some economic gain can come out of it. However, I have to agree that it does less than nothing for any polution problems. Maybe the Cubans want them. God knows they could use some new cars.
Whilst replacing them with less luxurious vehicles which use less fuel, in principal, is a good idea the comment by #generoso is very valid and it still seems that all these officials will end up with new cars whose cost is likely to exceed the amount gained by selling older luxury cars at auction. Especially as auctions in the D.R. generally seem to be rigged with the items going to those in the know at knock down prices and not an open auction where the best price is paid
actionshots,
So you what your saying is the DR is a Failed State where the Rule of Law means nothing and criminal politicans can get away with anything?
I agree 1000%!
As others have pointed out it's a move in the right direction. And in DR that's real important. So many people believe nothing will change. Just read our local Loco Josean: all news is either Metro, PLD, or LF.
Speaking of Bull Shit Guzzlers!
This story is sooooo misleading.
These cars are "possibly" going to be auctioned so that they can be replaced by new ones. They are going to save pennies in gas consumption but they are going to spend millions on new vehicles for the elected elite.
Written by: Atabey, 30 Oct 2012 2:57 PM
From: United States, NYC
Dready,
As others have pointed out it's a move in the right direction. And in DR that's real important. So many people believe nothing will change. Just read our local Loco Josean: all news is either Metro, PLD, or LF.
poor soul. always late for the party. i was one of the first people to express the idea that Danilo appears to be making a step in the right direction. you need to leave home early, so you get to the dinner before everything has been eaten.
jb,
As usual you hit the proverbial nail on the head!
Notice how ALL the Purple Clapping Seals are against a Top to Bottom Forensic Investigative Accounting!
I wonder what they're afraid will be revealed?
All these little pronouncements are just dancing around the edges for media consumption to see if opposition to the TAX MUGGING Dies Down!
Josean:
Don't you realize that's only because they believe that forensic accounting is only done by PRD members.