•
Municipality of Shweir & Ain Sindyaneh
Support group
April 2008
1- Harf Mrad – St. George church road decree
2- Shweir’s forestation
3- Dr. Khalil Saadeh’s memorial garden
4- Fixing & cladding of all concrete & stone walls along Shweir’s road
5- Building a road barrier near Shweir’s public school
6- Sidewalk from Nabhaa crossing towards Ain El Hanout
7- Parking area behind St. Peter’s church in Shweir
8- Sidewalk along Antoun Saadeh’s street , Harf El Deir area
9- Building of flower beds and a metal handrail at the stairs facing St. Mary’s church in Dhour Shweir
10- Shweir town square, as a heritage area
11- Emergency Medical unit
12- Revamping the street connecting Dhour Shweir town square with Fawwar roundabout
13- Additional floor to the municipality Building
14- Guest Info brochure
15- Ain El Hanout Master plan
16- Geographic information system
Reviving Shweir’s social and economic conditions, calls for the implementation of some vital projects that will lead to a major uplift to the town’s current condition and status. These proposed projects vary in range relative to scope, budget and time duration for execution. The projects could be implemented according to priorities and immediate needs of the community.
The municipality of Shweir and Ain Sindyaneh’s support committee is pleased to present this booklet which includes a list of such projects that target but not limited to civic, environmental, medical and touristic issues.
Regardless of the type and nature of those projects, the main goal leads towards the public interest of the Shweir’s community.
For further information and details on those projects, please contact the municipality:
Tel: +9614390019, +9614390175
Fax: +9614391469
Email: shwair@idm.net.lb
A list of different projects
1- Harf Mrad – St. George Church Road Decree
Shweir’s main road becomes too congested during summer festivals, annual feasts and community events such as weddings, funerals and many others. In order to avoid congestion and provide ease of access to the community, the proposed ring road starting at Harf Mrad crosses directly eastward and then down towards St. George church, gives an easy route to Ain Sindyaneh and Ain El Hanout without passing through the Shweir town center. The municipality has undertaken this project in 1998 and the works almost started but ceased due to complaints by some landowners.
It’s highly advisable to reinstate the works on this project through an official decree in case the settlement with the landowners does not lead to a successful conclusion.
2- Shweir’s Forestation
Shweir’s pine and oak groves have been a major asset to its local environment. The sloped land between Dhour and Shweir is very rich with pine trees that have existed for more than a hundred years. Aside from the spectacular scenery these trees create, the pine tree is quite valuable with its pine seeds and its ecological effect on the sloped terrains.
Unfortunately, at the end of each summer, those lands are susceptible to yearly fires, where a substantial number of trees are burnt beyond any possible salvage.
In that regard, a yearly campaign by our youth and scouts try to plant about 750 pine trees in different locations, courtesy of the ministry of agriculture and other societies that have an interest in the Lebanese environment.
3- Dr. Khalil Saadeh’s memorial garden
This garden, which is located in Harf El Deir area, has a social and historical value, but it has been neglected and requires an upgrade in its soft and hard landscaping works.
4- Cladding of all concrete walls along Shweir’s road
The repair of existing stone walls & cladding of concrete walls with stone veneer, will improve the outlook of those walls that lie along the road from Dhour to Shweir as well as some walls in Ain el Hanoot area and Ain el Sindyaneh.
5- Building a Road Barrier Near Shweir’s Public School
Building road barriers and adjustments to the road leading to the school will improve personnel & vehicle safety & protection especially during winter period. In addition, building flowerbeds along the barrier with nice bushes and annual flowers.
6- Sidewalk From Nabhaa Crossing Towards Ain El Hanout
This area is very popular for walking and a sidewalk along the main road retaining walls, is very much needed especially that this road is becoming the main entrance to Shweir.
7- Parking Area Behind St. Peter’s Church in Shweir
To coordinate with the church’s custodians to remove the wall behind the church in order to accommodate a parking area that will be useful during annual festivals, public gatherings for funerals and weddings. Initially, the wall was built to keep the area from being a dump, which does not hold true anymore.
8- Sidewalk Along Antoun Saadeh’s Street , Harf El Deir area
To build a sidewalk adjacent to lots #s 26, 27, 29 & 82 all the way to Deir Mar Elias. The distance is almost 700 Meters.
9- Building Flower Beds and Metal Handrail at the Stairs Facing St. Mary’s Church in Dhour Shweir
The stairs were rebuilt in 2004 and it’s recommended to build flowerbeds on one side for protection with a metal handrail in the center.
Installing a general signboard in the town square in order to highlight the town square’s surrounding landmarks which includes:
- St. Mary’s church
- St. Peter’s church
- ‘ Ain Al Qabu’ spring fountain
- The old souk
The board shall include brief historical information about the above landmarks. The preferable location for the signboard is next to the existing public phonebooth.
The old souk
Restoring the old souk to its previous condition and historical entity, the works include:
- Removal of the existing asphalt, which covers the old stone blocks and exposing the central drain gutter.
- Installing and restoring the stores’ wooden doors.
- Renovation of the existing buildings within the souk’s vicinity
- Installing a power network and sourcing it from the public grid.
- Installing different signboards with brief historical information about the souk
After the finalization of the renovation process, it’s highly advisable to reactivate the stores in order to reestablish the souk again a s the main market.
The setting up of a medical emergency unit in Dhour Shweir which will operate 24 hours, 7 days a week. The preferable location for such a unit is within the vicinity of Dhour Shweir’s town square. Preferable at ground level with easy access by visitor’s /patients and should accommodate parking for one ambulance.
The proposed area for this unit shall be 60-70 M2 , to include :
- Reception
- Treatment area
- Room for patients with one overnight stay
- Staff room
- Toilets
- Small store
The equipment for such a unit has been selected to accommodate emergency calls by residents of Shweir’s community and adjacent towns within a radius of 5 KM.
The budgetary cost estimate will be based on the cost of the equipment / furniture as fixed items and the staff / rent on monthly basis.
12- Revamping the street that connects Dhour Shweir town square with Fawwar roundabout
During the fifties, sixties and early seventies, this was the most vibrant and lively street, not only in Dhour Shweir but also throughout the Metn area. It encompassed all kinds of entertainment and leisure facilities such as restaurants, trendy shops, a small hotel, Movie Theater, not to mention the spectacular views that surround it within a distance towards the east. All these sum up why this street was a magnet to people from the whole region. Now, the views are still there, but it is unfortunate that the street’s current condition is quite dismal, as everything has closed except for a few stores.
In order to revamp this street, the following works are proposed:
- Cleaning the land and pruning the trees on the lot facing the gas station, in agreement with the owners of the land, fixing the gate, painting the adjacent metal fence and installing indirect flood lights under the trees.
- Taking advantage of the adjacent rooftops and converting them to summer cafes.
- Renovation of the dilapidated building known as hotel Canary and turning the place into a closed sports and leisure facility. The location of this building and its proximity with the main town square, has great potentials for a sizeable investment, as well as providing the area with a unique activity center that is very much lacked in the area.
- Reopening of Radio City Movie Theater even with limited number of seats.
- Reopening of the maximum number of stores at least during the summer season.
Currently, there are approximately 40 closed stores along this street and it’s strongly recommended to reopen those stores gradually.
In addition to the above and during the summer season, it’s advisable to close this street for vehicles every Saturday from 6 p.m. till 12 midnights and to open it for pedestrians only. Vendors could utilize the wide sidewalks to sell some artisan works or light snacks that could serve the passers by.
Built during the late fifties and inaugurated in 1960, the municipality building was donated to the Shweir community by the Jafet family in memory of the late Shweiry, Nehme Jafet, who was commemorated with a memorial in front of the building. This 50 year old building was designed to cater for certain community activities that suited the times. Although it gives the impression that it is a large building, the available space is very limited for community meetings and large group activities. It is recommended to expand the building available space in order to increase the built up floor space area.
The proposed new area will be achieved by building on top of the present building roof. This new 450 M2 area will be split into two main areas. The front one will be partitioned for more office and workspace and the back one will be suitable for multipurpose meeting hall.
The preliminary proposed design has been finalized, based on steel construction that reducing the impact on the existing concrete foundations. The pitched roof will receive red tiles to alter the drainage of snow and rainwater, which has not proven to be very efficient for large flat roofs in Dhour Shweir. In addition, this new design in the center of town will blend in with the town mostly red tiled roof skyline.
The brochure with the title “ Shweir, a town for all seasons “ comprises 48 pages with a comprehensive outlook about Shweir’s past, present and some future aspirations, focusing on Shweir\s natural and historic expansion, eastward towards Ain Sindyaneh and westward towards Dhour Shweir. The brochure has been prepared in collaboration with Shweir community center. It’s highly illustrated with pictures, drawings within the context of Shweir’s natural and social environment.
Some of the main topics:
- Shweir, a brief history
- Early planning and natural habitat
- Communal heritage/ customs and traditions
- Wild and domestic flowers, trees and local vegetation
- Touristic places
- Schools
Plus many other topics and subjects that will be of high interest to any visitor.
The brochure has been prepared in Arabic and English in a square format of 25 x 25 cm.
Ain El Hanout, Shweir’s north east suburb, has become the forerunner of all areas in terms of real estate development. Its direct eastward orientation, fairly moderate elevation above sea level, the famous “Shir” which surrounds it from the west, and last but not least, the gentle slopes of its natural terrain which is highly suitable for any kind of development, makes this area unique in its general setting with great potentials for a prosperous future.
Unfortunately, through the past, this area has been developing in a haphazard way. It has been neglected during the forties and fifties especially when the trend for expansion beyond Shweir’s cluster was mainly south west towards Dhour Shweir, which led this area to develop negatively in terms of the type of facilities that were taking shape beyond any control.
Currently, Ain El Hanout encompasses all types of facilities such as factories, a school, houses, and chicken farms, plus other facilities and installations that have been built without any proper planning.
In view of the above, it’s highly advisable to prepare a master plan for this area by a
Professional engineering firm that are specialized in rural planning in order to organize its existing facilities as deem fit and to control any future development within proper constraints before it’s too late.
This computer software program is geared towards storing any type of information that is earth bound with definite geographic boundaries. A few Lebanese cities and towns have adopted this program in order to have a comprehensive data that will be updated progressively within a certain time frame. Donations from different organization or private funding from local citizens, have enabled those town and cities to set up GIS programs within their municipalities.
The storage data that the GIS system can absorb is unlimited and can include such subjects:
- Infrastructure: Water networks, sewerage, rainwater drainage, power, Telephone, and public roads
- Topography
- Zoning and town boundaries
- Commercial areas
- Forestry and agricultural lands
Plus many other information that deal with the existing and current conditions of the town that will be updated progressively.
As soon as the program is completed, the municipality assigns a staff member that will guide users who are interested in retrieving any information about Shweir.
Different methods could be implemented for the setting of a GIS program. Certain firms are specialized in preparing such programs, or some individuals could be hired to work on such a program in the municipality.
مقترحات ومشاريع إنمائية
بلدية الشوير وعين السنديانة
لجنة دعم البلدية
نيسان 2008
مشاريع ومقترحات متفرقة
1- مرسوم طريق حرف مراد – مار جرجس
16- النظام المعلوماتي الجغرافي
مقدمة
يسر لجنة دعم بلدية الشوير – عين السنديانة بأن تقدم هذا الكتيب الذي يشمل بعض المشاريع العامة التي تم تداولها في الإجتماعات التي عقدتها من أجل مساعدة البلدية; بالنصح او بتقديم الإقتراحات واعداد بعض الدراسات٬ وفي حث المغتربين والمقتدرين من أبناء البلدة على تقديم المساعدة المالية او العينيّة من أجل النهوض بالبلدة بعد التوقف الإنمائي الذي أصابها منذ فترة طويلة.
ولسان حالنا جميعا كقول شاعرنا الشيخ ضاهر أمين خيرالله الذي يصف أبناء بلدته بقوله:
اذا ابتنى في اقاصي الارض سؤدده تبقى به نحوك الاشواق تستعر
يقول هاتيك امي لست انكرها في مبتدا حبها يحلو لي الخبر
اغيب عنها وقلبي يستقرّ بها مثل الضمير بفعل الأمر يستتر
يا من لهم بشوير اسّ مفخرة ان الشوير بكم بالحق تفتخر
إن لجنة دعم البلدية تحاول عبر هذه الصفحات ان تضيء على بعض المشاريع الإنمائية او التجميلية التي تجد ان البلدة بحاجة لتحقيق بعضها فورا اذا توفرت الإمكانيات والبعض الأخر كمشاريع مستقبلية. وهي اذ تؤكد ان عملها ما هو الا محاولة مساعدة البلدية٬ رئيسا وأعضاء على القيام بالمهام التي كلفوا بها وذلك عبر المشاركة ومع كل أبناء البلدة المقيميين والمغتربين الذين يتمتعون بمواهب وقدرات وامكانيات اذا تضافرة وتشاركت لأستطاعة النهوض بالبلدة وإعادتها الى سابق عزها واكثر.
لمزيد من المعلومات عن المشاريع المدرجة , يرجى الاتصال بالقصر البلدي على الارقام التالية:
تلفون:390019/04- 390175/04
فاكس: 391469/04
Email: shwair@idm.net.lb
-----Original
Message-----
From: Shweir Municipality [mailto:baladieh@shweir.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 1:45 AM
Subject: funny poem
Attached is a copy of a poem written by Omar Wajih Nasr Khneisser. It is about the elections that were held in Dhour. They would like to post it on the website. On the top of the page there is picture of Omar standing in the middle between DR. Ghosn and Mr. Naiim Sawaya. It is really funny
Best regards to all, sandy
Sorry for the delay!
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Shweir and Ain El Sindyeneh
Municipality Election 2004
Sunday May 2nd, make your vote count!!!
Many thanks to Samar for sending us these pictures on the day of the election.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hover your cursor over the thumbnail and you should see the corresponding picture # on the lower left of your screen.
16: the baladieh in the first hours of the elections day.
34 – 54: some citizens from that day
35: a list to eat and lists to vote
17: bus to bring supporters and family members
related to the candidate for the municipal council elections Mr. Naif Khairallah,
who was a member of the Tawafoukia list
45: if you were here, like this they receive you. People discussing
a voting list.
60: when time of voting finish. The baladieh closed its door and it looks like
this while sorting the voices. 10 o’clock evening.
Lets go to see the members of the lists during this time:
72: Shawki Sawaya in the middle of his supports
70: moments of stress while waiting the results
in the other side, Nabil Ghousn’s house;
90: Ghousn in the middle of his supports
91: while receiving the results
97 – 108: like this the winners celebrate
| Author | Topic: Mkhatir winners for Shweir | ||
|
|||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Author | Topic: Shweir Election | ||
|
|||
****************************************
posted 05-02-2004
01:04 PM 
posted
05-03-2004 06:55 PM 
posted
05-04-2004 01:16 PM