Shweir has inadequate infrastructure to meet current needs & NO Master Plan!

 

April 1, 2009 - Latest update from Municipality - Complaint to Industry Minister + 2 violation notices
         
We would appreciate if someone would summarize or translate these docs to English.

In an effort to keep the people of Shweir informed, Municipality provided these 5 Documents below on March 17, 2009
         

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      Positive response from Ministry of Environment:  Shweir Beauty must be saved > > or click on link: http://www.shweir.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=594

Master Plan update:  Decision 439 of the Directorate General of Antiquities dated February 3, 2009 and based on the report of architects and technicians appointed by the Directorate itself.  These are steps in the right direction for Shweir's Future.                                      اعتدنا مشاركتكم بكل ما يتعلق بالمخطط التوجيهي العام لبلدتي الشوير وعين السنديانة؛
ومن هذا المنطلق ها نحن ننشر لكم قرار المديرية العامة للآثار عدد 439 المبني على تقرير المهندسين والفنيين المكلفين من قبل المديرية العامة للآثار والصادر في الثالث من شباط 2009. واعدين إياكم بالمزيد وشاكرين دعمكم المعنوي لنا لما فيه خير بلدتينا

More info on Bulletin Board at:  http://www.shweir.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=586 

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Shweir's Future:  Industrial V. Environmental? 

Read official response from Mayor on Nov 4, 2008 and
Shweir.com open letter & proposal to create an advisory committee for New Master Plan

Shweir.com has received many inquiries about plan to Expand Industrial & Commercial Zone to 300% Shweir Size
between Shweir & Ain Sindyaneh in Nahr Bou Dawoude Valley from Al Sadd Restaurant to Mar Yohanna Monastery.
Important Questions by concerned Shweirys include:  Has Shweir benefited or been harmed by the existence of current Industries? 
IF Shweir's very weak to non existent infrastructure is beyond current capacity, how can it handle Huge Industrial Expansion?
Any studies about:  Roads?  Water & Wastewater?  Pollution?  Impact on Environment, Health & Economy, Tourism? Funding?
How can people learn more about these important issues?  What are the risks and rewards?  Who Benefits?  Who Loses?
What is best for Shweir?  Owners, Residents & those who love Shweir need facts to make informed decisions

In April, 2008, we posted link re: New Master Plan and asked for public comment to support Baladieh's efforts.
Proposed Study leading to New Master Plan - Municipality invites public Comment
Please visit that link and share your comments.  We invite Baladieh to share an update of their efforts.

Editorial Comment:  Information below reflect the overwhelming responses we are receiving from Shweir members and readers.  We will continue to update it as we get more feedback and we look forward to also include updates from the Municipality whenever they choose to share it with us/you. 

Industrial plants are usually built in least desired locations and as far away as practical from residential communities.  The most exclusive and successful communities are those with NO or least heavy industry impact, usually, no more than five 5%.  Values for entire towns & communities are affected:  The less heavy industry, the greater the value. 

Shweir should NOT have heavy industry because:

Lost Arouse al Masayef:  Shweir was famous as best tourism & resort town for 100 years.  Not any more.  Heavy Industry & tourism do not mix.
Setting:  Shweir is in a bowl shaped valley surrounded by hills from 3 sides = Poor Air Circulation will magnify pollution exponentially. 
Pollution:  Heavy industry is known to produce Air, Liquid, Solid, Toxic & Noise pollution that are harmful to environment and residents.
Roads:  Roads are NOT engineered to handle heavy trucks.  Annual damage from heavy trucks and repairs to roads would be far costlier than any benefits the town gets from all heavy industry revenue combined. 
Shortage of Water:  Current Residents do NOT have adequate water and have to buy water 2-3 times a week by the truck loads -
NO Water for Industry:  How can we provide more water for New industry to adequately wash away their waste when there is not enough water for residents?
Wastewater system that does NOT work:  Yes, Shweir has a new waste water system that does NOT work! 
Electric Power Shortage:  Brownouts & blackouts are common occurrences. Consider harvesting wind energy like Mike Sawaya proposes     
Future Growth:  There are currently over 1000 residences that are empty, damaged and/or NOT completed yet.  and if we factor in New construction for residences and/or businesses over the next 5, 10 and 20 years... that could be equivalent to 2000 - 4000 units. Would they get adequate basic infrastructure and services like Roads, Water, Wastewater and electric?  NO

Shweir does not have adequate basic service to current residents, Nor the unfinished units... Nor potential Growth.  Shweir residents would like to see realistic studies of how those who propose expansion of heavy industry plan to solve the failed infrastructure for the residents and businesses first before proposing any expansion of heavy industry.  Unless the intent of some is to put priority on heavy industry ahead of the need of the residents.  Then, we will definitely have a problem and we seriously doubt that the people of Shweir want to have a ghost town on their hands. 

The above are very basic factors... All of which do NOT support heavy industry for Shweir.  Look what a few existing heavy industries caused in harm beyond what Shweir can handle. To pursue more heavy industry, would further destroy the environment, increase pollution, make our town smell to high heaven, the health of residents would be adversely affected, most Emigrants would NOT want to spend their vacation in an industrial setting, and hotels and restaurants would lose lots of business. 

Heavy Industry would significantly reduce the value of land and homes and businesses in the entire region. Do the people of Shweir want to see their town to become an embarrassing example of failure and a town that squandered its unique resources?  Wake up and save Shweir before it is too late.   

The people of Lebanon and Shweir have endured many challenging circumstances over the past few decades including Civil & International Wars, Foreign Occupation, and Dirty Politics.  Majority of Shweirys are very upset about a handful of heavy industries that were allowed to be built or expand as a result of questionable circumstances, misrepresentations, lies or abuse of power over the past 10-20 years.  The people of Shweir want the current Administration to correct past mistakes and to mitigate those heavy industries that are operating beyond the scope or capacity of their licenses, causing significant harm to the environment and/or to the health of Shweir inhabitants who want these industries controlled, minimized and/or shut down. 

Shweir desperately needs to minimize existing heavy industries rather than expand them exponentially. 

We only have one Shweir with a unique setting, views and climate that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world*.  We do NOT want to repeat past mistakes.  Please DO NOT make major decisions about Shweir's Future that are likely to be devastating and irreversible without in depth and unbiased studies and full disclosure and public feedback to reflect Shweir's best interest. 

*  Three places that we know of that come close to Shweir in topography & climate: 
1.  Tomazina in Central Brazil  where there are a large concentration of Choueris, Shweirys some from Merhege and Bouzaid families 
2.  A town in New Zealand where the Corbans and Atayas started their wine industry
3.  "Trois es Pixs" sp?  The three peaks in France near the German border, again in the wine region. 

None of these beautiful places have in their midst the kind heavy industry that Shweir has and propose to expand exponentially. 

There are better alternatives:
IF the proposed plan is about another type of Industry, light industry like WINE Industry, Hotels, Restaurant, Resort and Hospitality industry, cottage industries (home grown businesses), these are ideal for Shweir, then that is a Welcome breath of fresh air.  Yes, with Shweiry engineering, water pumps, we can transform Nahr Abu Dawoude valley into a beautiful area with running water and cascading water falls that would rival al Bardowney.  Add to it Old Souk, Old Tahouneh, Old bridge, to highlight our history and heritage, maintain and bring them to their old glory, add walkways, trails, destination resort, health club... and you will have heaven on earth where people from around the world would want to come visit and stay.  That is the kind of industry Shweir desperately needs. 

Those land owners in that area would benefit far greater, possibly over 1000% greater, by taking the light industry described above that would get overwhelming support than the heavy industry that will be devastating to the town and will be far less profitable for them.  

We urge Shweir leaders and council members to give serious consideration to conduct studies as per recommendations of experts from around the world, share their findings with the public, to reduce and hopefully eliminate as much of the heavy industry and to focus on light industry described above and take steps that would protect the environment, beautify and enhance future success of our treasured town.

Related links:    BB Posts:                  Industrial v. Environment    Recent posts @ Master Plan 
                         Web Pages:              Baladieh                        Mater Plan                     Environment

Let us take a proactive approach, set excellent examples of positive Change and Forward Thinking to make the best of our resources and make Shweir Shine again.  

 

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2008 Master Plan Efforts - Most recent on top

This topic is written in both Arabic and English.  First English Version:

Samar Kiame Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 181 Location: Shweir

Posted: 01 Dec 2008 02:54 pm    Post subject: Under the theme of “The Master Plan for Shweir and Ain Sindyaneh”, a meeting was held in the municipal palace on the evening of November 15, 2008. The meeting was attended by the majority of the municipal council members, mainly the president of the municipality, Mr. Naiim Sawaya, along with a number of town engineers and active figures who tackled all recent issues of concern for the town residents. The president of the municipality, Mr. Naiim Sawaya, opened the meeting by welcoming the assembly and noting that the meeting aimed at highlighting the municipality stance as to the issues on the agenda, especially in light of the declarations and objections being raised in the town. He also welcomed any constructive criticism, and condemned what was being published on Shweir.com about the municipality wanting to sabotage the town, affirming that its main concern is the interest of Shweir and Ain Sindyaneh. Zoning The first part of the meeting was dedicated to the zoning issue that met with two opposing positions. Both parties based their opinions on the meetings on urban planning held with the town engineer, Ms. Lina Medawar, in which they discussed the classification of Zone T (expansion of the residential communities, industrial and residential zone) and Zone F (industrial zone only). Mr. Ramzi El-Katoul affirmed that he had met with Ms. Medawar who had told him that there should be a Zone T that would separate between Zone F and Zone C (residential zone). In other words, the industrial zone should be expanded to a certain limit and more industrial plants should be installed. On the other hand, engineer Imad Jardak and municipal council member, Ms. Rima Rahbani insisted that they too had met with Ms. Medawar who was positive that Zone T could be built without the need to a Zone F. The objective would be to limit the industrial zone to the existing plants without expanding it. This decision was justified by the fact that the potential plants will be necessarily built in the vicinity of both towns and houses, and will be exposed to view due to the geography of the region, thus having a direct impact on their environment. In addition, they pointed out that the municipality was the one to decide whether to expand or limit the industrial zone, and that the urban planning did not impose any conditions and allowed the elaboration of a master plan regardless of the industrial zone. Amid the discussions, Mr. Salah Bou Saab intervened with a firm position, stressing the need to limit the industrial zone and prevent its expansion because the town could not tolerate further plants. On the same note, engineer Nabil Bou kheir confirmed the possibility of drawing up a master plan without having an industrial zone. He called for reasonable thinking and for the implementation of law on the existing plants in order to resolve the issue of building any house next to any plant, since the law organizes and restrains plants and obliges their owners to abide by the relevant licenses. He said that if neglected, things will go from bad to worse, and called for sanctioning whoever does not have a legal license, especially with the large number of questionable enterprises operating without licenses… Industrial plants The intervention of Mr. Bou Kheir led to a large debate on the existing plants and their legal status. In this context, he requested to present the committee formed by the municipality and in which he is a member with the licenses of the said plants to review them and make them binding for the owners. As to Mr. Simon Baaklini, member of the municipal council and owner of the stone factory in Ain Hanout , he made it clear that the Council of Ministers was the sole authority that could allow the relocation of any plant, knowing that the relocation costs ten times more than the plant itself. He also declared that before expanding his plant, he visited some lands in neighboring regions, such as Bou Mizan, Koleiat and Mtein and expressed his readiness to relocate his plant in case he finds a substitute industrial zone between Mtein and Bou Mizan. He called upon whoever has the capacity to help buy the land and cover the cost of relocation, expressing his willingness to bring his own contribution to this project. Once again, Shweir.com had its share of criticism where Mr. Simon considered what is being said on this website to be a problem because emigrants for more than 40 and 50 years do not know what is going on in Shweir but through the internet and satellites. He said: “their suggestion is dismissed”. He also refused any unreasonable talking, stressed on the town’s welfare and environment, and welcomed whoever wants to express his opinion directly. His suggestion to build an industrial zone in Ain Sindyaneh going from the cemeteries to the Nahr met with some objections based on the fact that this region is merely natural and environmental and constitutes the entrance to the town. Mr. Simon reiterated that the plant needs the financial support of the Council of Ministers and the payment of a compensation for its relocation, or else “its relocation is out of question”. By saying that, he stirred the reaction of some attendants who raised the issue of the school built near the plant that is a source of disturbance for the students... Moreover, the mayor of Ain Sindyaneh, Mr. Sabeh Jardak tackled the problem of the town residents, especially the youth seeking to build houses. He explained that the small perimeter of Ain Sindyaneh and its vicinity to the Ghwab natural reserve where investment is limited, and the plants on the other side of the town do not encourage the residents to build houses in their own town, thus pushing them to leave. When some of them resorted to Ain El-Hanout, they were surprised to see the plants built in this region, including Mr. Simon’s plant that transgressed the neighboring lands and breached the terms of the licenses. While the mayor affirmed that they did not want to remove the plant, he wished that there would be constraints and commitment to the licenses, and wondered if Ain El-Hanout was a region suitable for building plants. The mayor also called for a prompt decision to be taken as to the cement factory at the entrance to Ain Sindyaneh, since the owner went on and bought further lands in a potential attempt to expand his plant. Someone also noted that the owner of the aluminum plant in Shweir had recently purchased a large farm near his plant. The assembly asked the municipality to inquire about the facts. As to Mr. Naji Jardak, owner of a sawmill in Shweir, he said that “none of the plants in the region fulfill the conditions and that this is partly due to the absence of control by the municipality”. He also pointed out to a declaration against the nylon plant, and read in his name and in the name of the signatories the declaration that mentioned “the health and environmental damages resulting from the emitted chemical and radioactive substances, according to specialized experts, as well as the bad smells, the sounds of engines and power generators, the noise and the dazzling lights day and night, the distortion of nature because of this plant and other neighboring plants, and the disturbing trucks and huge machineries”. Following the declaration, Mr. Jardak called upon the president of the municipality and the municipal council members to “put an end to this environmental, health and building crime in Ain El-Hanout and Ain Sindyaneh without any delay”. To comment the issue, Dr. Nabil Ghosn, ex-president of the municipality and current member of the municipal council, affirmed that the nylon plant was yet to have the investment license and thus, did not have the right to operate, and that it did not fulfill the conditions of the Ministry of Industry. He also explained that the ministry of Industry had granted the owner two years to equip the plant only, provided that after the expiry of this period, he would ask the Ministry to examine the plant before its operation to make sure that it meets the required conditions. Mr. Ghosn noted that he had suggested that the president of the municipality grants the plant owner one or two months to fulfill the requirements of the Ministry of Industry. The president of the municipality declared that a committee will be formed to conduct a study on the ground and determine the suitable area to build an industrial zone, a transitional zone and a green zone, expressing the municipality’s readiness to cooperate with this committee. As to the objection against the nylon plant, Mr. Sawaya asserted that it was submitted to all concerned ministries of environment, health, industry, interior and municipalities. He also noted that meetings were held with the ministers who called upon the municipality to oblige the owners of plants to abide by the licenses or else their plants will be shut down. He said that this was the reason behind the formation of a committee to study the plants and reach a solution in favor of both towns and of the plants that became an irreversible fact. Mr. Wajih Nasr, owner of a gas plant in Khenchara, also had an intervention in which he affirmed his fulfillment of the license terms and his commitment to the required specifications for the building of his plant. He wondered why the town residents did not abide by the licenses in their own town while they did so outside their town. He also suggested allowing the building of light plants for those who wish to work in their town. Mr. George Rizk went back to the year 2004 because he considered that the issue must be discussed from the very beginning. He suggested increasing the rate of investment in the Ghwab to allow the Shweirys to benefit from this region and build houses while preserving the green landscape, thus staying in their town. He also suggested building an industrial zone in what he called “the valley” at the bottom of Ain Sindyaneh. However, this suggestion was highly dismissed because “the valley” is close to the houses and overlooks the opposite regions… Mr. Sadek Korban suggested studying the current situation and forming a committee that would examine all issues and present them in another meeting. Ghwab Engineer Samih Halabi considered that the decision of the municipality to limit plants to their lands and licenses was a good step, saying: “the lesson is yet to be implemented”. As to the Ghwab that is subject to a debate to decide whether to preserve its greenery or turn it into a residential area, Mr. Halabi suggested not to rush to request the increase of investment in this region. He also expressed a point of view that would improve investment in this region and increase the prices of lands while preserving the green environment that distinguishes Shweir and attracts many vacationers from all regions… The proposal was to make Ghwab an environmental tourist region and build chalets there or a region for camping, bike riding, horse riding and fishing… thus attracting tourists from all over Lebanon… Engineer Nabil Bou Kheir backed the proposal and explained that the direction of the region is towards the north, which makes it cold and unsuitable for residence, not to mention its geography, soil, and steepness. He also said that had our ancestors deemed it a suitable area to build houses, they would have done it a long time ago. As to Mr. Elie Aoun, he wished to separate the issues in question, dividing them into three: - zoning: according to him, some issues did not cause any damage and “must be mended before they break”. He suggested recovering the zoning file from the urban planning service, reevaluating it, and adding to it the recommendations of the current council where the industrial zone would be limited to a certain area… - Issues that caused a serious damage (stone factory, cement factory, nylon plant…): he said: “we noticed that the owners of the plants are from Shweir and we want them to stay here” and no one is thinking of getting revenge. He also explained that the relocation of these plants must go hand in hand with a land reclamation, and said that the municipality should borrow to support this project and all residents should bring their contribution… - The school: Shweir is reputed for its environment and education, “education is the ornament of this town”. He suggested promoting the educational utility and building a university. He also pointed out that the school is close to the plants, “which violates the simplest of environmental and health conditions”, calling to put an end to this problem and reach a decision as soon as possible”… Recalling the decisions taken in the previous years pushed the president of the municipality to read some of the decisions that were signed by the former municipalities and that gave the owners of plants licenses, allowing them to expand and overstep the neighboring lands… The president of the municipality held responsible both the former municipalities and the owners of plants, and condemned those blaming him on Shweir.com for decisions taken by former presidents. He noted that the owners of plants insisted on relocating their plants to areas within Shweir and Ain Sindyaneh, but the municipality could not relocate them. He also demanded the owners to follow the licenses to the letter by virtue of law, assuring that the municipality will pursue violations… Finally, an advisory committee was formed to study the zoning issue, including the following members: - Engineer Elie Aoun - Engineer Ziyad Shaya - Engineer Nabil Bou Kheir - Mr. Ramzi Katoul - Attorney Gebrayel Nassar - Engineer George Naoum Mjaess - Mr. George Bou Rizk - Attorney Ramzi Mjaess - Engineer Imad Jardak - Engineer Elie Halabi - Engineer Samih Halabi - Ms. Rima Rahbani - Mr. Touma Touma - Mr. Naji Jardak And the three mayors: Mr. Sabeh Jardak, Mr. Sami Sayegh and Mr. Mkhayel Sawaya, as well as the deputy president of the municipality Mr. Habib Mjaess as president. Since we value objectivity and we stand at an equal distance from everyone, we will make public the declarations of the former president of the municipality Dr. Nabil Ghosn and the current president Mr. Naim Sawaya who requested, each at a time, the publication of some official documents. In the first three pages of the link below, Dr. Ghosn states briefly the content of these official documents, and considers that Mr. Naim Sawaya, being the president of the municipality, allows the nylon plant to operate, without fulfilling the conditions of the Ministry of Industry, and that he is responsible for this issue because he signed the report of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. Consequently, if the owner of the plant meets the required conditions of the Ministry of Industry, he will not pose a threat to its environment. Mr. Ghosn also stated that during his mandate, he never violated any of the legal terms, even if some published documents mentioned that the lands where the plant was installed were not yet classified as an industrial region. Dr. Ghosn justified his approval of building the plant on land 1487 by saying that this land is situated in a region that was considered industrial a long time ago. Link http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x27/samar_shweir_news/files%20from%20Dr%20Nabil%20Ghosn/?start=all On the other hand, President Naim Sawaya held Dr. Ghosn fully responsible for the building of the nylon plant in the town, for the following reasons: - Transforming land 1487 (where the plant was built) from a residential to an industrial area - Ignoring the requests of many municipal departments who told him not to give the plant owner the license before the classification of the area as an industrial area In addition, Mr. Sawaya said that the plant owner, Mr. Youssef Habib has asked the municipality to reconsider the classification of the land 1478 from a residential area to an industrial area in order to expedite the applications related to the building of the plant. He also explained that what Dr. Ghosn had said about the land being situated on either side of Nahr Bou Dawoud was wrong because the land is far from the Nahr. As to the right to invest in a floor tile plant and stone sawing on the land 1542, Mr. Sawaya wondered why the municipality had agreed to expand this land that would overstep the neighboring lands 1543 and 1545, especially that the Ministry on Industry had issued a license for one land. Link http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x27/samar_shweir_news/files%20from%20Mr%20Naiim%20Sawaya/ ****************************************** It is worth mentioning that Shweir.com and the town residents and emigrants it represents expressed their concerns even before the building and operation of the nylon plant without a license. In fact, they have been following the issue from the very first moment the bulldozers went into that land, uprooted the almond trees and grapevines, and destroyed the stone walls… At that time, Shweir.com used all means to contact the municipality which was then presided by Dr. Nabil Ghosn, in an attempt to show him the gravity of the situation, according to the explanations of specialists and experts united on this website. This important issue comes to surface again with the new president of the municipality, Mr. Naim Sawaya, knowing that the plant owner violated the license like the majority of plant owners in the town… Amid exchanged accusations, the town residents are the masters of the situation, for those who used to go to sleep in a calm town are awaking today on the noise of trucks and sometimes the deafening sound of huge machineries before dawn… While the debate intensifies over the industrial plants, the Ghwab reserve, the potential lands to build houses for the townsmen, and job opportunities… people fear that these problems combined would dominate the fundamental zoning issue from which all other decisions are to be taken concerning the town future image, especially on the patrimonial and cultural levels. In fact, the zoning issue is of a great importance for the townsmen since it will define the future of their houses and their children, mainly because it covers the entrance to Ain Sindyaneh and the rare and distinguished green zone between Shweir and Ain Sindyaneh… What adds to the people’s concerns is that some officials are talking about licenses being issued for plants that are yet to be built and about real partners… Rumor has it that the building of these plants is due next spring, which led the president of the municipality to assure that he will not sign any other license for the building of further plants in the town… Finally, eyes and hopes are pinned on the committee that will study the zoning issue and draw up a master plan for the town… Let’s hope the day won’t come when new plants will be built at the expense of an environmental fortune offered to us by God… may we appreciate its value someday!!! Link http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x27/samar_shweir_news/Shweir%20beauty/?start=all

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 If you like to read more about this subject or post a comment, there are several pages on the BB at:
http://www.shweir.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=520&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=91ff554561ec768e28556c877589759e

Related links:    BB Posts:                  Industrial v. Environment    Recent posts @ Master Plan 
                         Web Pages:              Baladieh                        Mater Plan                     Environment

 

تحت عنوان "المخطط التوجيهي العام لمنطقة الشوير – عين السنديانة"، عـُقد مساء السبت الواقع فيه 15 – 11 – 2008 اجتماعا في القصر البلدي، ضم غالبية أعضاء المجلس البلدي وعلى رأسهم رئيس البلدية السيد نعيم صوايا، الى جانب عدد من المهندسين في البلدة وشخصيات فاعلة، تداولوا فيه كافة المواضيع التي شغلت سكان البلدة في الآونة الأخيرة،

 بدأ الاجتماع بترحيب رئيس البلدية نعيم صوايا بالحضور وأشار الى ان الهدف من الاجتماع هو توضيح موقف البلدية من المواضيع  المطروحة لا سيما في ظل البيانات والاعتراضات التي يتم نشرها في البلدة، مرحبا بأي انتقاد بنـّاء، ورافضا ما ينشر على "الشوير دوت كوم" حيث رأى أن البلدية وُصِفت وكأنها تريد "خربان" البلدة مؤكدا حرصها على مصلحة الشوير وعين السنديانة...

الزونينغ 

تمحور القسم الأول من الاجتماع حول الزونينغ حيث برز رأيان في الموضوع وكلا الطرفين استندا الى الاجتماعات التي عقداها في التنظيم المدني مع مهندسة المنطقة السيدة لينا مدوّر، ودار النقاش حول التصنيف للزون T (إمتداد للمنطقة السكنية، وهي مختلطة صناعية وسكنية) و للزون F (منطقة صناعية فقط)؛ 

ففي حين أكد السيد رمزي الكاتول أنه اجتمع مع السيدة مدور وقالت له إنه يجب ان يكون هناك زون T تفصل بين F و C (منطقة سكنية)؛ ويعني ذلك تمديد المنطقة الصناعية الى حد ما وإقامة المزيد من المصانع

أصرّ كل من المهندس عماد جرداق، والآنسة ريما الرحباني، عضو في المجلس البلدي، أنهما اجتمعا مع السيدة مدوّر ضمن وفد من البلدة وأكدت لهم أنه بالإمكان إنشاء زون T من دون إقامة زون F؛ ويهدف ذلك الى حصر المنطقة الصناعية بالمصانع الموجودة فعلا على أرض الواقع من دون توسيعها، ويبرر أصحاب هذا الرأي قرارهم بأن أي مصانع أخرى سيتم إنشاؤها فستكون حكما قريبة من البلدتين والمنازل ومكشوفة الى العيان نظرا للتكوين الجغرافي للمنطقة وسيكون لها الأثر المباشر على المحيط، وأشارا الى ان التنظيم يؤكد أن البلدية هي صاحبة القرار بتوسيع أو حصر المنطقة الصناعية وأن التنظيم المدني لا يفرض شيئا عليها، مع العلم أنهم أفيدوا من التنظيم أنه من الممكن وضع  مخطط توجيهي عام من دون تواجد منطقة صناعية.   

ووسط  الأخذ والرد تدخل السيد صلاح بو صعب وسجل موقفا حازما حول ضرورة حصر المنطقة الصناعية ومنع توسعها أكثر مما هي عليه والاكتفاء بما وجد من مصانع وعدم إنشاء المزيد، معتبرا أن البلدة ما عادت تحتمل أكثر من ذلك.

إمكانية وضع مخطط توجيهي عام من دون تواجد منطقة صناعية أمر أكده المهندس نبيل بو خير الذي دعا في الوقت نفسه الى الانطلاق من المنطق والواقع، وبضرورة تطبيق القانون على المصانع الموجودة، ما من شأنه ان يحل مشكلة إقامة أي منزل الى جانب أي مصنع ذلك أن القانون ينظم ويضع ضوابط على المصانع ويجبر أصحابها على الالتزام بالرخص المعطاة لها وبالتالي بحماية أي منزل يقام بالقرب منها، وأشار الى انه إذا تم عكس ذلك فإن الامور ستؤول من سيء الى أسوأ، كما دعا الى اتخاذ خطوات بحق من لا يملك رخصة قانونية للعمل مشيرا الى وجود علامات إستفهام حول العديد من المؤسسات التي تعمل من دون رخص...

المصانع

السيد بو خير في مداخلته هذه فتح باب الجدل واسعا على مسألة المصانع الموجودة فعلا وعلى واقعها القانوني، وفي هذا السياق طالب أن تحصل اللجنة التي شكلتها البلدية، والتي هو عضو فيها، على رخص هذه المصانع لتطّلع عليها وإلزام أصحابها بالتقيد بها

من ناحيته، أوضح السيد سيمون بعقليني، عضو في المجلس البلدي وصاحب معمل الحجر في عين الحانوت، أن مجلس الوزراء هو السلطة الوحيدة المخولة بالسماح بنقل معمل من مكان الى آخر، وأشار الى ان ذلك يتطلب كلفة تصل الى عشرة أضعاف كلفة المعمل وأنه قبل أن يعمد الى توسيع المعمل كشف على أراض في المناطق المجاورة مثل بو ميزان والقليعات والمتين وأعرب عن استعداده الى نقل مصنعه من المنطقة اذا تم ايجاد منطقة صناعية مصنفة فئة ثانية ما بين المتين – بو ميزان على ان يساعد من يستطيع في شراء هذه الارض وفي كلفة نقل المعمل مبديا إستعداده بالمساهمة هو أيضا

ومرة جديدة "الشوير دوت كوم" كان لها نصيبها من الانتقادات، فقد وصف السيد سيمون ما يـُتداول على هذا الموقع الالكتروني بالمشكلة، بحيث اعتبر ان هناك أناسا مهاجرين لأكثر من 40  و 50 سنة لا  يعرفون ماذا يوجد في الشوير الا  من خلال الانترنت والأقمار الصناعية، وقال: "إقتراحهم مرفوض" وهو في هذا السياق أوضح أنه يرفض اي كلام يخرج عن المنطق وأكد حرصه على الناحية الصحية والبيئية للبلدة، ورحب بكل من يريد ان يتكلم ويبدي رأيه بشكل مباشر.

 واذ إقترح إقامة منطقة صناعية في عين السنديانة تمتد من حدود المقابر نزولا حتى النهر، الأمر الذي لاقى اعتراضا لدى البعض باعتبار هذه المنطقة طبيعية وبيئية بامتياز وتعد مدخلا للبلدة... 

السيد سيمون جدد التأكيد على ان هكذا معمل يحتاج الى دعم مادي من قبل مجلس الوزراء ودفع تعويض كي يتم نقله الى منطقة أخرى "فمن غير الوارد نقله"

كلام السيد سيمون لاقى ردة فعل لدى عدد من الحاضرين، فمنهم من أثار مسألة المدرسة التي أنشئت على مقربة من المصنع الذي يشكل إزعاجا للطلاب خصوصا من الاصوات التي تصدر عنه...

وفي الاطار نفسه، أثار مختار عين السنديانة السيد سبع جرداق مشكلة أبناء البلدة لاسيما الشباب منهم الذين يريدون بناء منازل لهم، ولفت الى ان مساحة عين السنديانة الصغيرة وقربها من منطقة الغواب المصنفة محمية والتي لا تسمح بمساحة استثمار عالية، فضلا عن وجود مصانع عند الجهة الاخرى من البلدة لا تشجع أبناءها على بناء مساكن لهم في بلدتهم وبالتالي يضطرون للرحيل عنها، ومن منهم وجد في منطقة عين الحانوت منفذا له إصطدم بالمعامل المنشأة هناك ومن بينها معمل السيد سيمون الذي امتد الى العقارات المجاورة له وتجاوزه لشروط الرخص المعطاة له.

المختار أكد أنهم لا يريدون رحيله إنما تمنى ان يكون هناك ضوابط وإلتزام بالرخص، وتساءل اذا كانت عين الحانوت منطقة لإنشاء المصانع؟

وكان للمختار ملاحظة حول معمل اللبن المُنشأ عند مدخل عين السنديانة حيث شرع صاحبه بشراء مزيد من الاراضي قد يهدف من خلالها الى توسيع معمله وتمديده، فطالب باتخاذ قرار سريع حوله.

كما أن هناك من أشار الى أن صاحب معمل النيلون في الشوير اشترى في الآونة الأخيرة مزرعة كبيرة مجاورة لمعمله وطالب المجتمعون البلدية بالوقوف عند الوقائع.

من ناحيته قال السيد ناجي جرداق، صاحب منشرة في الشوير، "إن كل المعامل في المنطقة لا تطبق الشروط المفروضة وإن غياب الرقابة من قبل البلدية له أثره على ذلك".
أشار السيد جرداق الى وجود بيان إعتراضي بحق معمل النيلون وتلا بإسمه وبإسم الموقعين على المعروض بيانا تطرق فيه "الى الاضرار الصحية والبيئية الناتجة عن المواد الكيميائية والشعاعية المنبعثة منه، برأي خبراء مختصين بهذا المجال، فضلا عن الروائح الكريهة وأصوات المحركات ومولدات الكهرباء والضوضاء والأنوار الباهرة ليلا ونهارا ولا ننسى التشويه الحاصل للمناظر الطبيعية، بسببه وبسبب المعامل الاخرى والمجاورة له والازعاج الحاصل من تنقل الشاحنات والاليات الكبيرة"

ودعا السيد جرداق في نهاية البيان رئيس البلدية وأعضاء المجلس البلدي "لوضع حد لهذه الجريمة البيئية والصحية والعمرانية في منطقتي عين الحانوت وعين السنديانة من دون تأخير أو مماطلة" 

وتعليقا على الموضوع أكد الدكتور نبيل غصن، رئيس البلدية السابق وعضو حالي في المجلس البلدي، أن معمل النايلون لم يحصل بعد على رخصة الاستثمار وبالتالي لا يحق له البدء بالعمل وأنه لا يلتزم بشروط وزراة الصناعة، وأوضح ان وزارة الصناعة أعطت صاحب المعمل سنتين ليقوم بتجهيزه فقط، على ان يقوم عند انتهاء هذه المهلة بالطلب من وزراة الصناعة بالكشف عليه قبل أن يبدأ العمل للتأكد من أنه يستوفي الشروط. وأشار السيد غصن الى أنه اقترح على رئيس البلدية إعطاء صاحب المعمل مهلة شهر أو شهرين للالتزام بشروط وزارة الصناعة.

وعن كل هذه المواضيع، أعلن رئيس البلدية أنه سيتم تشكيل لجنة تكلـَف بإقامة دراسة على أرض الواقع وتحديد المكان المناسب لإنشاء منطقة صناعية وأخرى إنتقالية ومنطقة خضراء، مؤكدا استعداد البلدية التجاوب مع هذه اللجنة.

وحول الاعتراض على مصنع النايلون، أكد السيد صوايا انه تم ارسال الاعتراض الى كل الوزارات المعنية من بيئة وصحة وصناعة وداخلية وبلديات، وأشار الى انه حصلت اجتماعات مع المسؤولين في هذه الوزارات الذين طالبوا بدورهم البلدية بإلزام المعامل بالرخص المعطاة لها وإلا إغلاقها، وأوضح ان ذلك كان سببا لتشكيل البلدية لجنة لدراسة واقع المعامل والتوصل الى حل لما فيه خير البلدتين ومصلحة المعامل التي أصبحت أمرا واقعا.

وكانت هناك مداخلة للسيد وجيه نصر، صاحب معمل غاز في بلدة الخنشارة المجاورة، الذي وصف إلتزامه بشروط الرخصة المعطاة له وتطبيقه لكافة المواصفات المطلوبة من أجل إنشاء معمله، وتساءل لماذا الاستباحة ولا يلتزم أهالي البلدة برخصهم في بلدتهم طالما أنهم يلتزمون بها خارج بلدتهم؟ واقترح السماح بإنشاء مصانع خفيفة جدا للذين يريدون أن يعملوا ويبقوا في بلدتهم.

عند هذه النقطة عدنا بالتاريخ الى العام 2004 مع السيد جورج بو رزق الذي اعتبر انه يجب مناقشة الموضوع بدءا من الاساس وليس من "القفا تحتا"، وفي خلاصة ما أتى به؛ إقترح العمل على رفع الاستثمار في منطقة الغواب كي يتمكن أبناء الشوير من الاستفادة منها وبناء منازل ضمن شروط المحافظة على المساحات الخضراء، وبالتالي لا يضطرون الى الابتعاد  عن بلدتهم. كما اقترح إنشاء منطقة صناعية في ما وصفه بـ"الوادي" في أسفل عين السنديانة، الامر الذي لاقى اعتراضات عدة نظرا لقرب هذا "الوادي" من المنازل وانكشافه على  المناطق المواجهة له...

من جهته، تمنى السيد صادق قربان دراسة الحاضر وتشكيل لجنة تكلف بسحب كل الأوراق ودراستها وعرضها في اجتماع آخر

الغواب

من ناحيته اعتبر المهندس سميح الحلبي أن قرار البلدية بحصر المعامل في نطاق عقاراتها وتراخيصها خطوة جيدة وقال: "العبرة تبقى للتطبيق".

وحول منطقة الغواب التي تتنازعها وجهتي نظر بين إبقائها منطقة خضراء أو تحويلها الى منطقة سكنية، اقترح السيد الحلبي التريث في طلب رفع نسبة الاستثمار فيها، وطرَحَ وجهة نظر ثالثة رأى أن من شأنها أن تحسن الاستثمار في هذه المنطقة وترفع سعر الاراضي وتحافظ على طابعها البيئي الأخضر، الذي هو طابع الشوير، والذي يجلب اليها المصطافين من كل المناطق... ويقضي الاقتراح بجعل الغواب منطقة سياحية بيئية وبناء نماذج سكنية صغيرة (شاليه) أو منطقة تخييم وركوب على الدراجات والخيل وصيد السمك... وبالتالي استقطاب السياح من كل لبنان...

المهندس نبيل بو خير دعم هذا الرأي وأوضح أن وجهة هذه المنطقة شمالية وبالتالي فهي باردة وغير صالحة للسكن فضلا عن تكوينها الجغرافي وتربتها وانحدارها، وأكد أنه لو رأى فيها أجدادنا منطقة جيدة لبناء منازلهم لفعلوا ذلك منذ زمن بعيد.

السيد إيلي عون تمنى الفصل بين المواضيع المطروحة، مقسما اياها الى ثلاثة؛

- مسألة الزونينغ حيث لاحظ أن هناك مواضيع لم يلحقها الضرر وأنه "يجب تجبيرها قبل ان تنكسر" واقترح استرجاع ملف الزونينغ من التنظيم المدني وإعادة تقييمه وإلحاقه بتوصيات من المجلس الحالي تحصر فيه المنطقة الصناعية بمساحة معينة....

- مواضيع لحقها الضرر بشكل مفجع ومرعب (معمل الحجر، معمل الباطون، معمل النايلون...)، وقال "لاحظنا أن أصحاب المعامل شويريون ونريدهم أن يبقوا" وأن لا أحد بوارد الانتقام واعتبر أن إزاحتهم يجب ان تكون مقرونة بإلتزامات تحسين مستوى الاراضي، وأنه يجب ان تقوم البلدية بالاقتراض والمساهمة من كل الناس لنقل هذه المعامل...

- موضوع المدرسة؛ حيث اعبر ان الشوير معروفة ببيئتها وبكونها ضيعة علم "زينة هذه الضيعة، العلم" واقترح تعزيز المرفق العلمي وبناء جامعة. وأوضح ان المدرسة قريبة من المصانع وهو "أمر لا يتوافق مع أبسط مستلزمات وشروط المسائل الصحية والبيئية" ودعا الى "ضرورة وضع حد لهذا الموضوع وأخذ قرار بأسرع وقت"...

 العودة بالتاريخ الى القرارات التي اتـُخذت في السنوات الماضية دفعت برئيس البلدية الى تلاوة بعض القرارات التي وَقعت عليها البلديات السابقة والتي أعطت رخص للمصانع وسمحت لها بالتوسع والتمدد الى العقارات المجاورة لها...

رئيس البلدية ألقى المسؤولية المشتركة على البلديات السابقة وأصحاب المعامل على حد سواء ورفض ما يسري من كلام على "الشوير دوت كوم" يحمّله مسؤولية قرارات قام باتخاذها من سبقه على رئاسة البلدية، وأشار الى ان أصحاب المصانع لم يرضوا سوى الانتقال الى أراض ضمن نطاق الشوير وعين السنديانة  وأقر بعدم قدرة البلدية على نقل هذه المصانع، الا انه في الوقت نفسه طالب أصحاب المصانع بتطبيق رخصهم بحذافيرها ضمن القانون مؤكدا ان البلدية ستقوم بملاحقة المخالفات... 

  وفي النهاية شـُكلت لجنة لدراسة مسألة الزونينغ تألفت من:

- المهندس إيلي عون
- المهندس زياد شعيا
- المهندس نبيل بو خير
- السيد رمزي الكاتول
- المحامي جبرايل نصار
- المهندس جورج نعوم مجاعص
- السيد جورج بو رزق
- المحامي رمزي مجاعص
- المهندس عماد جرداق
- المهندس إيلي حلبي
- المهندس سميح حلبي
- الآنسة ريما الرحباني
- السيد توما توما
- السيد ناجي جرداق
والمخاتير الثلاثة: السيد سبع جرداق والسيد سامي الصايغ والسيد مخايل صوايا
برئاسة نائب رئيس البلدية السيد حبيب مجاعص

 ومن أجل الموضوعية، ولأننا نقف على مسافة واحدة من الجميع، نخرج الى العلن ما أصرّ عليه رئيس البلدية السابق الدكتور نبيل غصن ورئيس البلدية الحالي السيد نعيم صوايا، بحيث طالب كل منهما، على حدة، بنشر عدد من الوثائق والمستندات الرسمية؛

 فالدكتور غصن يلخـّص في الصفحات الثلاث الاولى، على الموقع أدناه، مضمون ومحتوى هذه الوثائق الرسمية ويرى أن السيد نعيم صوايا بصفته رئيسا للبلدية يسمح لمصنع النايلون بالعمل من دون توفر الشروط والمواصفات الواجب توفرها بحسب وزارة الصناعة، وأن توقيع السيد نعيم صوايا على محضر وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية، يجعله جزءا من المسألة ومسؤولا فيها. وبالتالي فإن الدكتور غصن يؤكد انه اذا طبق صاحب المعمل الشروط المطلوبة منه بحسب وزارة الصناعية فإنه لن يشكل ضررا على محيطه. ويرى غصن أنه أثناء ولايته لم يتجاوز أيا من الشروط القانونية علما أنه وبحسب المستندات المنشورة نلاحظ أن العقارات التي أقيم عليها المعمل لم تكن مصنفة منطقة صناعية  بعد ويبرر الدكتور غصن موافقته على إنشاء المعمل على العقار 1487، أنه يقع ضمن منطقة ملحوظة صناعية منذ زمن بعيد

Link:  http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x27/samar_shweir_news/files%20from%20Dr%20Nabil%20Ghosn/?start=all

 في المقابل، يحمّل رئيس البلدية السيد نعيم صوايا  الدكتور غصن المسؤولية الكاملة لإنشاء معمل النايلون في البلدة وذلك للاعتبارات التالية:

-         تحويل العقار 1478 (حيث أنشئ معمل  النايلون) من منطقة سكنية الى منطقة صناعية

-         عدم الاستماع الى طلبات التريث الذي طالبت بها العديد من الدوائر الرسمية البلدية قبل اعطاء الترخيص لصاحب المعمل الى حين استكمال معاملات تصنيف المنطقة الصناعية

وكذلك يسعى السيد صوايا الى تقويم ما ورد على طلب السيد يوسف حبيب حبيب (صاحب المعمل) حول طلبه من البلدية بإعادة النظر بتصنيف العقار 1478 من سكن الى صناعة من أجل الاسراع بالمعاملات المطلوبة لإنشاء المعمل؛ ويوضح أن وصف الدكتور غصن لهذا العقار على جانبي "ساقية" (نهر) أبو داوود غير صحيح ويوضح ان هذا العقار بعيد عن "الساقية".

ودائما بحسب رئيس البلدية وحول حق استثمار معمل بلاط ونشر أحجار على العقار 1542، يتساءل السيد صوايا أنه طالما أعطت وزارة الصناعة الترخيص على عقار واحد، فلماذا وافقت البلدية آنذاك على توسيعه الى العقارين المجاورين 1543 و 1545.

Link:  http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x27/samar_shweir_news/files%20from%20Mr%20Naiim%20Sawaya 

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يُذكر أن "الشوير دوت كوم" وما تمثله من أبناء البلدة مقيمين ومغتربين، لم تنتظر حتى انتهاء بناء معمل النايلون وبدء العمل فيه قبل حياذته على رخصة إستثمار كي تبدي قلقها من الموضوع، بل هي واكبت هذه المنشأة منذ اللحظة الأولى لدخول الجرافات إلى تلك الأرض واقتلاع أشجار اللوز ودوالي العنب وتهديم حفافي الحجر... و"الشوير دوت كوم" آنذاك لم توفر وسيلة اتصال بالبلدية التي كان يرأسها الدكتور نبيل غصن ومحاولة لإقناعه بخطورة الوضع إستنادا الى توضيحات من قبل أخصائيين وخبراء يجمعهم هذا الموقع الالكتروني.

وإن هذا الموضوع على أهميته يعود اليوم الى الواجهة مع الولاية الجديدة للبلدية التي يرأسها السيد نعيم توما صوايا مع تخطي صاحب المعمل لرخصته شأنه شأن كل المعامل الأخرى الموجودة في البلدة...

 ووسط تبادل التهم بين المسؤولين، يقف أهالي البلدة والقلق صاحب الموقف، فمن اعتاد أن ينام على بلدة هادئة، يجد اليوم نفسه يصحو على هدير الشاحنات وأحيانا "زعيق" الآليات الكبيرة التي تسبق طلوع الفجر...

 وفي الوقت الذي يحتدم فيه الجدل حول المعامل، ومحمية "الغواب"، وايجاد أراض لبناء منازل لأبناء البلدة، وفرص عمل... يخشى الناس أن تطغى هذه المشاكل مجتمعة على مسألة الزونينغ، التي تعد العامود الفقري وانطلاقا منها تتخذ القرارات المتشعبة والمتعلقة بتحديد طابع البلدة ورسم صورتها المستقبلية لا سيما التراثية والثقافية منها، وبالتالي فإنها تعد ذات أهمية عند أبناء المنطقة لمعرفة مصير منازلهم ومستقبل أبنائهم خصوصا وأن مسألة الزونينغ تستهدف بشكل مباشر مدخل بلدة عين السنديانة، والمنطقة الخضراء بين الشوير وعين السنديانة ذات الرونق المميز والنادر...

 وما يضيف على قلق الناس قلقا، تصريح بعض المسؤولين عن حيازة أناس تراخيص لمعامل لم تنشأ بعد وسرى الحديث عن وجود شركاء فعليين... صدى هذه التصاريح تداولها الشارع وسرت شائعات عن أن الربيع المقبل سيكون موعدا لبدء بناء هذه المصانع، وتعليقا حول الموضوع أكد رئيس البلدية أنه لن يوقع على أي ترخيص لبناء أي معمل إضافي في البلدة...

 وتبقى الأنظار والآمال مشدودة باتجاه اللجنة التي شـُكلت من أجل دراسة مسألة الزونينغ ووضع مخطط توجيهي عام للبلدة... على أمل أن لا يأتي يوم ويُزهر فيه ربيعنا مصانع جديدة على حساب ثروة بيئية وجنة أعطانا إياها الله مجانا... علنا ندرك قيمتها!!!  

Link:  http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x27/samar_shweir_news/Shweir%20beauty/?start=all 

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 If you like to read more about this subject or post a comment, there are several pages on the BB at:
http://www.shweir.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=520&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=91ff554561ec768e28556c877589759e

Related links:    BB Posts:                  Industrial v. Environment    Recent posts @ Master Plan 
                         Web Pages:              Baladieh                        Mater Plan                     Environment

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Shweir has inadequate infrastructure to meet current needs & NO Master Plan!

A Dynamic MASTER PLAN must have these basic guidelines for Shweir’s Future Success…

1.  The Town master plan will include tools for promoting quality community and lifestyles. It provides citizens, developers, planners, and leaders with a document that clearly communicates the public's interests and expectations.  It will also provide for orderly improvement of Town resources, infrastructure and environment.

2.  The needs of the residents and employees of the Town, including youth and senior citizens, will form the basis for the plan. Topics will include economic development, including agricultural development, housing, tourism, education, recreation, and the protection of natural resources.

3.  The Town's goals are to promote economic growth that enhances rather than diminishes property values, to promote aesthetically pleasing development, and to preserve and enhance the historic, cultural, and environmental resources of the Town.

4.  The plan will help citizens communicate their goals and priorities with respect to zoning, roads, water, sewer, electrical and network to guide elected officials over the next 5, 10 and 20 years.

5.  How can Shweir residents enhance their lives and capitalize on the many outstanding features of their Town, which include beautiful and scenic countryside, a creative workforce, a bounty of home-grown produce, an excellent Town Road system, and a fantastic view of Sunneen to the East and the Mediterranean to the West?

Since 2001, many caring Shweirys wrote dozens of posts on Shweir Bulletin Boards and urged the Municipality to establish a Master Plan.   In 2006, many engineers, architects, developers, road and wastewater experts offered to volunteer their time to work on a dynamic Master Plan.  No one followed through on these experts offers.  Not even a committee.  =  Missed Opportunities. Other towns are thriving while Shweir has gone backwards. 

In April 2008, Municipality announced and invited public participation for a bold effort to address 16 important issues leading to a Master Plan.  Everyone welcomed such announcement and gave residents hope.  No further update was made.  The only action taken was a submission to rezone an eco sensitive area that is 300% the size of Shweir into Industrial & Commercial without proper studies or public notice and input.  That would be devastating for the environment & Shweir.   

Shweir desperately needs a dynamic Master Plan & committee of QUALIFIED, Experienced & Unbiased experts. Brief suggestions from Dr. Karim Nasser, University professor of engineering in Canada, Engineers Salim & Jamil Jamil Bou Saab, Samih Baaklini, George Matar, Elie Aoun, Mike Sawaya & many others:

1.  The zoning plan should be made public by Council and invite input from, experts, residents and public.

2.  An Expert’s report should be prepared in due time based on resources, public input and limitations to determine the realistic feasibility and cost of needed infrastructure, effects on economy, environment, advantages, disadvantages, proposal viability, cost of the total project and how will it be financed. 

3. Allow Industries that are necessary to serve the community to be up to 5% of total municipal area and placed in remote location with minimal environmental effect and away from residences & businesses.

Please share with all who love Shweir, urge council members to oppose questionable industry expansion, mitigate & reduce current Heavy Industry, shut down harmful industry & pursue a dynamic Plan that will make Shweir shine

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Responding to feedback from and discussion with members of Shweir.com family, about the positive note of the Mayor's message, we decided to take proactive steps resulting in this letter, below sent to the Mayor and Council Members.

Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 10:10 PM
Subject: FW: Official Response about Shweir's future

Sandy, Please make copies and distribute to the Mayor and Council members.

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Dear Shweir Mayor Naiim Sawaya and Council Members,

Thank you for your official response and invitation to welcome working cooperatively for a brighter Shweir.

Shweir will greatly benefit from such cooperation, sharing of ideas and as you nicely put it, constructive criticism.

Shweir.com has a network of great talent from around the world. And when you facilitate to tap into their resources, you will be amazed at the additional opportunities and options that would come.

Shweir desperately needs experts who have in depth knowledge about all aspects of Master Plans.

If we do not have such expertise, we would waste more time and opportunities like we did since 2001.

As per your invitation, some of these experts have suggested that we establish an advisory committee to work closely among experts from around the world including Lebanon and Shweir and designated knowledgeable members of Shweir elected officials.

We recommend that members of the council vote to establish such Advisory Committee that will work closely with professionals, members of the staff of the municipality and the citizens in order to establish a New Master Plan.

The Council would have the ultimate decision of the approval of the recommended New Master Plan.

The Shweir.com experts will donate their valuable time and most likely provide alternatives and resources that can be of great value to Shweir.

They may be aware of international programs or aid foundations that can provide equipment, systems, software and hardware, or financial assistance for clean energy, water resources, wastewater treatment, education, economic, wireless and internet communications, etc.

We want people from around the world to look back 10 and 20 years from now to admire and be proud of positive accomplishments of the team effort of your administration and the Shweiry experts from around the world achieved.

We would like to know when the Council would vote on the establishment of such an Advisory Committee, so we can proceed accordingly including the selection of advisory members.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information.

Looking forward to your prompt and favorable response.

For the Shweir.com family,

Best regards,

Anwar

Cc: Shweir.com family

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We are excited about this opportunity and we are going to look at samples of some of the best models, utilize applicable data and modify to reflect Shweir charaqcteristics to achieve best Master Plan.

Here is a communication from Dr. Karim Nasser in Canada:

From: Karim W. Nasser
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:32 AM
Subject: Re: Shweir Industrial Map - REsponse from Mayor

My sincere thanks to all of you for getting to a milestone in the negotiation with the Municipality.
For your reference and discussion I propose the following model from the City of Saskatoon:

Municipal Planning Commission

The function of the Commission is to advise City Council with respect to all matters pertaining to community planning and development within the Municipality.

The Commission reports directly to Council

Number of members--13
One from City Council and twelve others

See : www.city.saskatoon..sk.ca

I will provide you with details after my additional inquiries.

Thank you very much and God bless your continued enthusiasm and hard work,

Karim

 

The Master Plan for our Shweir Author Message George Matar Site Admin Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 408 Location: League City, Texas   Posted: 08 Oct 2008 11:22 am    Post subject: The Master Plan for our Shweir I once wrote a song around 2001 that had the following lines: Dow Jones falling NASDAQ in a dive Nothing to learn here and nothing to Teach We're simply having a good time at Crystal Beach Here we go agian, except this time there is no Crystal Beach, Ike took it with him.... so what to do now? We Got to get our mind off the economy, because we are royally %^&^%%. So here is something that we can interact aand come out with something positive..... I figure if the economy keep going the way it is, My last $4000 will be to buy two airline tickets for me and Janice and head back to to live in Dhour... and maybe some of you will end up doing the same thing.... Having that in mind, and you are aware that the Municipality is being proactive in implementing a Master Plan for our town........ Here is your Chance to suggest and / or recommend improvements that YOU would like for them to include in the Master Plan. Rules of the Game is for you to be creative and practical, use examples of towns that adopted ideas and made it come true and if you can mention the results of their work.... In otherwords don't ask for the imposible... Just remember that the area is very small and any thing you recommend will effect the rest of the community. Go ahead and shine _________________ Mukhtar

The letter below was sent in 2006 to key people at the time who can be instrumental in helping to facilitate a sound and exciting Master Plan.  These were my opinions at the time and invited more discussion.  

My communications with Habib Moujaes March 17, 2006 about the reason the wastewater plant that failed upon completion was quite insightful and I felt compelled to share it with you.  (See below). 

 In summary:  (based on Habib and Dr. Ghosn explanations).

The limited resources Shweir has precluded its leadership from dreaming big and when they got creative, they were personally penalized. 
Yes, the Municipality and individual council members were stung and were on the receiving end of red tape from higher authorities.

Shweir does not have short and/or long term Master Plan and raw and untreated sewage and other chemicals and possibly harmful material is being discharged from four outlets. 

Other observations from previous communications include: 

Water supply is inadequate and has to be delivered by truck weekly to each home. 

Our water springs that made Shweir famous – most are tainted, reduced to a trickle and/or undrinkable

We lost territory jurisdiction to neighboring towns… like al Kasouf Hotel on one end and even the Saadeh home on the other end…

Basic infrastructure such as Zoning, public works, environment, roads, gutters, electricity, safety, shelter, recreation and job development need big boost.

 For the past five years, we discussed on the BB how wonderful it would be if Shweir was a dynamic and vibrant town that is active year round. 

Remember George Matar’s posts about the Master Plan and “A Town for all seasons”? + many other posts…

The old souk has fantastic potential.  It remains like a jewel in the rough, hardly discovered. 

There are so many opportunities to capitalize on if… no, WHEN we, combine our resources and creativity and work cooperatively together.

 I sincerely believe that the key to turning things around is to have a bold vision and allow our selves to dream big. 

So here is our chance to help our town rise above the negativities and past challenges.  

 Yes, positive dreams give people hope and create excitement. 

Imagine if we were to take as many of these dreams and include the more feasible ones in a Master Plan (MP). 

The nice thing about a MP is that it can be amended periodically when we get more data. 

Also, the easy items can be accomplished during the short term and the more GRAND plans during the Long term…

 The reason that you are receiving this is because I believe that you have the knowledge, experience, leadership qualities and genuine desire to help your/our town.

Yes, there are many many other persons with similar qualities.  We do not intend to leave them out.  Thru your efforts via the Shweir MP, we will tap into the vast resources we have. 

As you know Shweir is famous for its engineers, architects and builders.  I am sure each one of you know of many more people who are qualified.  What is important is to find those who are qualified, available and will be blessed by the Municipality.  We  just want to help and do not wish to overstep our boundaries.

I will share with you of the people who I personally know. 

 By means of brief introduction: 

 Municipality:          Dr. Ghosn, as 3 term Mayor, has been most knowledgeable of most issues, a master at politics, diplomacy and knows key people to fill in needed roles.  Before Dr. Ghosn retires, or even when he does, we very much would appreciate and welcome his participation and guidance.  

Dr. Karim Nasser:   Retired. Taught civil engineering for decades.  Has many inventions.  Dozens of scholarships in his name.  Just completed a book “How I achieved my dream” which will be announced soon and will be available for sale on Shweir.com with proceeds going to benefit Scholarship fund.

Nabil and George Matar:  Both have engineering degrees and are the most active and vocal on Shweir.com

Shakeep & Ziad Shaya:  Accomplished Architects and are quite familiar with Shweir building codes and guidelines.

George Moujaes:   Architect – volunteered his time to design the Shweir Library and Community Center.

Riad Khuneisser:    Librarian at AUB and volunteered his time at the Shweir Library and Community Center. 

Samih Baaklini:      Engineer – does contract projects for roads and underground piping in the Houston, TX area.

Suheil Baaklini:      Engineer -  works for the Department of Public Works of the City of Austin, TX  Suheil could be most familiar w/MPs.

Jamil Bou Saab:    Has an architectural firm with about two dozen staff members.  Also familiar with design, plan and community work.

Habib Moujaes:     Mechanical Engineer, entrepreneur, past member of Shweir Council, very familiar with the Shweir issues, specs, challenges

Anwar Kenicer:      I work in commercial real estate and had experience working on a large development project as big as Shweir that included MP and infrastructure.  
I had the best mentor in the summers during my youth at Cinema Roxy:  Khalil Salim Moujaes, Habib's dad.  Need I say more?   

 The following are merely recommendations.  They are not cast in stone. 

I welcome your feedback, constructive criticism and whatever would a benefit to Shweir. 

I do not wish to be presumptuous.  Some of you may be overcommitted and may not have time for this, so please tell me.

Here I will put my ideal wish list to start with and with your feedback we can modify accordingly.

 The first step is to establish the Shweir Master Plan Committee.  May I suggest that to be under the umbrella of Shweir Foundation. 

 We get feedback about gathering as much information about each aspect of the MP, pre-requisites, and assign persons (some new) who can head or study a sub part of the MP. 

 I began to appreciate the difficulty that the Municipality faced when Habib mentioned how they were penalized for being creative and wrote: 
 “Our centralized government system leaves you no room to dream.”

This has stirred me to take some action as I am doing now.  Let us dare to dream… and imagine:

 Imagine we get someone like Mayor Ghosn and Dr. Nasser to guide us, give us tips, help us orchestrate this project. We get great divergent view points.

Imagine that Suheil Baaklini can guide us about best MP approach, elements, managing issues and changes…

Imagine that Habib Moujaes will take charge in addressing the basic infra structure issues: 

             Water, Wastewater, Roads, and Electricity.   Identify problems, brain storm solutions. 

             Each issue can be headed by a most knowledgeable person

Imagine Oula Aoun can continue her research dream about Old Shweir Souk

Imagine that you know of many other great and resourceful people to join this fine team. 

Imagine that the Municipality will support such MP study project, provides critical info and recommend most instrumental and knowledgeable key persons.

Imagine how excited people of Shweir would be when they have a say about this evolving MP

Imagine support by owners of major property that is mostly vacant now that if we spend $1 on MP, the town can benefit by $2, or $3+

Imagine…..

Imagine….

Imagine…

 I can list a dozen more dreams… and now it is Your turn to add to the list. 

 Attached please find five (5) diverse Master Plan examples that we can use the best of each that applies.  

There are plenty more on the internet.  If you find other relevant information, please add it and share it with us.

 Before I get too carried away, I need your input, encouragement, blessings, good energy. 

This is a collective and team effort.  If each of us and future volunteers did a segment of the MP, no one will be overwhelmed. 

I believe this will be educational, fun and very rewarding for the town.

 I would like to tabulate your responses and get a consensus by the end of this week.

My apologies for this long message.

 If all move positively, we would like to get the MP project started in early April and have a rough draft by end of July. 

 Say INSHALLAH.

 Best regards,

 Anwar

 

 

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April 2006

 Allow me to share some great news with you.

 Below, please find the Municipality’s positive and supportive “Official Statement” and below that are my comments.

Thank you Dr. Ghosn for giving us the opportunity to embark on what we would like to consider to be an undertaking that could become a success story and a model to emulate in transforming a town.  

 We feel blessed to have such open dialogue and the spirit of cooperation among caring professionals such as this fine group.  

We also are very fortunate to have some of the most gifted minds and engineers who are in and/or from Shweir who are excellent candidates to join us.   

I had several discussions with some of you and received worthwhile communications and excellent suggestions and encouragement.  

Some of you recommended excellent candidates to join and help in this effort.  

I am very optimistic about this collaboration.  At this momentum, the future long term vision for Shweir can be achieved much quicker.

 Our objective is to volunteer our time to work closely and in harmony with the Municipality, mayor, council members, public works departments, engineers and to get as many good worthwhile suggestions from caring Shweiries and residents.

 I like what Jamil suggested about establishing a Master Plan commission or committee that have the authorization, endorsement and recognition of the Municipality.  Since all appear to be in agreement and are in support of the MP and goals, may I suggest that between now and lets say the first of May, that the Municipality would establish such a commission.  During this time, recommendations for possible candidates to be appointed would be submitted for consideration by the Municipality.  If Municipality is in agreement or has a better alternative or time schedule, please let us know.  We are anxious to get started.

 It would help greatly if those to be considered to the commission would be familiar and preferably experts in certain aspects of the MP.  New commission members can review existing studies like those relevant ones that have been prepared since 1973.    

 Granted that this is an overview.  I welcome your suggestions.  Your input and collaborations would give us more options and better choices.

 Sincerely,

 Anwar

From: A G Kenicer [mailto:kenicer@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 2:21 AM
To: 'Shweir Municipality'
Subject: RE: Considerations in support of a Master Plan

 Dear Dr. Ghosn,

Your “Official Statement” in support of the Master Plan is like music to our ears.

 Our objective is to work in harmony with the Municipality to learn more about the studies that have already been made.

Also, we would like to get the perspective and vision of the Municipality, Council, and resident and let the Commissions or Committees sanctioned by the Municipality to collaborate with experts locally and abroad.   

 We look forward to receive the wastewater information you will be sending and to learn as much of the existing conditions and studies.

 Aside from Zoning and infrastructure issues, the MP could be expanded to include economic development, advancement of educational opportunities This can be expanded as we get more input from first the Municipality, Council, experts and from the public.  New and bold topics can include economic development, (such as a chamber of commerce), educational potential (such as a university satellite leading up to a full university), recreational facilities (such as public parks, amphitheatre, preservation and enhancement of historical sections like old souk in Shweir and the Tahouneh…  There may be many other worthwhile important issues to consider and evaluate.  However, I will defer such consideration to you and the experts.   

 Thank you for again for your support of what could be a road map for a brighter future and clearer vision for Shweir.

 With your permission, I will share your response with the group that we have been communicating with.  

 Sincerely,

 Anwar

From: Shweir Municipality [mailto:shwair@idm.net.lb]
Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 2:51 AM
To: A G Kenicer
Subject: Re: Considerations in support of a Master Plan

Official Statement

Dearest Anwar Kenicer,

Received your email of April 6 , and had full attention to its contents dealing mainly with a master plan for shweir . It is a very important topic to deal with and we have to clarify the master plan we are talking about because a master plan would mean two things to me:

1- Zoning of the area of shweir

2- Projects needed for collaboration with local governmental authorities as well as foreign aids to improve the infra structure of Shweir inorder to have the facilities of modern civilization so that Shweir could be an ideal place to come to .

The Zoning of the town has been a primary subject dealt with  by the municipality councils starting from 1973 until today and we feel that we approached the final steps that a Presidential Decree  would be issued very shortly dividing the landscape of

Shweir into several zone areas , each of them having different characteristics  .

I am very happy to hear that many of our people living abroad (Emigrants) , who are very enthusiastic and specialized in several fields that could give lots of their experience to be used in  implementing a new infra structure for the town, and then seek for financing from Local authorities or from different international agencies that are working to help . I am ready to support any project or projects to modify and bring our town into better standards, because we need lots of things as well as corresponding lots of money to be able to reach together our goal. 

It's good to start putting a MP for what Shweir needs most and then to start preparing qualified people in the fields so that we can have their opinions and studies and then look for ways and means to execute the projects that would be under discussion.

As for the water waste plant that we started in 1993- 94 , it will be discussed in a separate e-mail that i will be sending to you in the coming few days.

Best Regards,

President of Shwair - Ain sindyani Municipality

Dr. Nabil Ghosn

  

----- Original Message -----

From: A G Kenicer

To: Municipality

Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 10:22 AM

Subject: Considerations in support of a Master Plan

Dear Dr. Ghosn,

Hope all is going well for you.  We miss you all.

 As you are aware, I sent an email inquiring about support for the waste water project and in just a couple of days, we got all enthusiastic and supportive responses.  I will copy and paste some of the responses below. After some discussions and excitement, the respondents supported to work on a dynamic Master Plan, MP that will encompass short term needs and long term visions for Shweir and its people.  

A Master Plan is critical for many reasons including:  

1.       It helps identify basic infra structure needs for present and future projection.

2.       by collaborating with local and experts who live abroad,  Shweir can greatly benefit from their talents.

3.       For certain costly projects, by collaborating together, we can identify dozens of international entities that could provide assistance

4.       This way, by having knowledgeable person(s) locally, like yourself, you can address and coordinate important and needed logistics to obtain what ever assistance from the government to compliment foreign aid and/or assistance from Shweiries abroad.

5.       In order to bring those visions closer to reality, if we work via the MP, we can be ready and show that we have a sound and well thought out plans to submit for financial aid and resources.  Of course, we will be more successful if we show that the project is feasible and we have done our homework.   

6.       I am sure we can list dozens of other good reasons…

Although all the respondents are eager to pitch in, they are reluctant to proceed without strong encouragement and support from the municipality.  

So far we have not heard from you on these discussions.  We do not want to lose this momentum.  It would be great to encourage the implementation of such a plan at the earliest possible time.

Dr. Ghosn, even if you may go into semi retirement soon, we need your enthusiastic support of this critical opportunity and/or you can recommend a key contact person in the Municipality who help us bring this MP project closer to reality.    

 The responses below are a good example of eagerness of many successful and highly qualified Shweiries to help.  Perhaps the only communication you did not see yet was from Samih Baaklini.  Now I have his permission to share it with others.  As you will note, he is prepared to allocate $5,000 to get the right format in place.  Also note the correction on Souheil Baaklini’s qualifications.  He works for the water and waste water department, rather than department of public works, for the city of Austin, TX.  

 With Municipality’s endorsement, and the fact that Shweir Foundation is now a tax exempt corporation, we can get more donations for a comprehensive MP project since the donor would save roughly 20% to 40% on his taxes for donating to such non profit entity.

 Dr. Ghosn, we look forward to your direction and enthusiastic favorable response.   Inshallah, J

 Best regards,

 Anwar

From: Samih Baaklini [mailto:sabaaklini@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 8:21 AM
To: A G Kenicer
Subject: Re: From Shweir Waste Water Mess to 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 year Master Plan

Anwar

 I am all for that, a MP. I also want to thank Habib for this valuable information.  May I suggest letting Habib finish his Waste water treatment plant.  I realize we need the money to do so, If Habib can let us know what kind of funds he is requiring.  If all looks favorable, I can allocate $5000 for this project, maybe that will get the ball rolling.

Samih

From: Baaklini, Suheil [mailto:Suheil.Baaklini@ci.austin.tx.us]
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 8:11 AM
To: Jamil Bou-Saab, P.E.; A G Kenicer; fincorp@beirut.com
Cc: K. W. Nasser; G. Matar; Nabil Matar; Samih Baakllini (sabaakilini@sbcglobal.net); George Moujaes; Riad Khunieser; Municipality
Subject: RE: From Shweir Waste Water Mess to 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 year Master Plan

Dear Anwar/Jamil and all;

 Good morning to you all, and thanks Anwar for including me on the list. FYI I have been very busy and disconnected from Shweir news for a very long time. I do work for the City of Austin Water and Wastewater Engineering Department and not in Public Works and planning. However I do concur with Jamil and his recommendations as a good start to gather in depth information and start the process. I will be happy to help in any way that is appropriate and might add value.

I salute you all for keeping the imagination and dream alive. Let us hope that commitments from the right people for the right tasks and the right reasons remain for the long haul along with the dollars to make it happen.

Good luck and stay in touch.

Suheil

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift”

From: Jamil Bou-Saab, P.E. [mailto:jbousaab@terraengineering.com]
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 10:39 AM
To: 'A G Kenicer'; fincorp@beirut.com
Cc: 'K. W. Nasser'; 'G. Matar'; 'Nabil Matar'; 'Samih Baakllini (sabaakilini@sbcglobal.net)'; Baaklini, Suheil; 'George Moujaes'; 'Riad Khunieser'; 'Municipality'
Subject: RE: From Shweir Waste Water Mess to 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 year Master Plan

 Dear all,

Anwar great start as usual!  I would like to make brief recommendation as follows:

1-       Establishing Village commissions that should be appointed by our Municipal Government (with Shweir.com input)

1.1-       Establish Zoning and Planning Commission (up to 7 commissioners including a chairman)

1.2-       Establish Infrastructure Commission    (up to 7 commissioners including a chairman)

2.       The volunteer commissioners should be familiar or experts of the commission they will be serving on

3.       Objectives:  A year or so of research and analyses with recommendations of the findings and solutions for improvements.       

Ladies and gentlemen we The Shweir people built and still building communities all over the world we have talent beyond imaginations we can serve and improve our beloved Shweir.

Let us start  

Best regards,

Jamil Bou-Saab, P.E.

Vice President

TERRA ENGINEERING, LTD.
505 North LaSalle Street       401 Main St.                   
Suite 250                               Suite 930
Chicago, IL 60610                  Peoria, IL 61606

 

From: A G Kenicer
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 1:27 AM
To: fincorp @ beirut . com
Subject: RE: info on waste water

Dear Habib,

Thank you so very much for your explanation.

By identifying and acknowledging that there is a problem, at the very least, we can find a solution to correct it.

Granted the funds are not there now.  But if we work on a short and long term Master Plan, identify the critical elements of corrections needed for major infa-structure items, at least we are prepared and take steps to raise funds, as much from government and other possible matching funds and possibly by grants from caring Shweiries and other people the likes of the late Hariri… 

Without such Master Plan, we will be like a ship without a compass, lost at sea.

A couple of questions for you: 

1.  I respect your privacy. May I have your permission to post the information about the waste water?  Do you need to check w/Dr. Ghosn first?

2.  Do you know if there is a 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years Master Plan for Shweir?  

If so, how can we get a copy? 

If not, with Municipality’s blessings, would you consider heading a team with some of the engineers who volunteered to help in order to create such a plan?  This can be under the umbrella of Shweir Foundation. 

I welcome any advice you can share. 

Best regards,

Anwar