2012 - Haiti Observer Blog

The 2012 Digicel Entrepreneur of the Year went to Jean Lionel Pressoir. Mr. Pressoir is the current CEO of Lojistik SA Haiti Tours. The company Lojistik SA, was founded in 2004 and provides transportation for visitors. He is also radio host in Port-au-Prince. Jean Lionel Pressoir co-hosts the program Vision-Destination aired on Vision 2000.

The Digicel Entrepreneur of the year for 2012 was held on Tuesday, December 18 at the Hotel Karibe in Port-au-Prince. This year, the theme was "Building for our next". Mr. Jean Lionel Pressoir was the grand winner this year. He won in several categories such as education, tourism and culture.

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We finally have a glace of what the Cathedral of Port-au-Prince that was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake will look like when it is finally built. What you are looking at is the first picture of the winning design that was submitted by Puerto Rican architect Segundo Cardona and team. The cathedral is an important symbol in Port-au-Prince.

According to the new design approved by a panel of six professionals at the University of Miami School of Architecture, Cathedral of Port-au-Prince building will be shaped in a circular form with retractable walls.

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On November 22, 2012, Haitian president Michel Martelly and family met Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

Martelly also met the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone where the Vatican agreed to continue to support Haiti to recover from the 2010 earthquake.

Video of Haitian president thanks Pope for quake aid during Vatican visit:

For me the "Haitian Joudalist", it was important to notice two important facts from the meeting between President Michel Martelly and Pope Benedict XVI.

- One, If you look closely, you will see the Haitian President with his "Pink Bracelet" visibly displayed during the meeting.

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Haiti's Petion-Ville now has a new mayor. Reports said that the government revoked former Mayor Claire Lydie Parent's mandate. According to Minister of the Interior and Local Authorities Ronsard St. Cyr, the revocation will take effect for over a year. Yvanca Jolicoeur Brutus is now Petion-Ville's new mayor. She was installed recently and is expected to receive assistance from officials Kerna Duval and Dominique Saint-Roc.

Claire Lydie Parent confirmed the revocation but she said that she was not aware that the government was making such a decision. The incident came after Parent issued a statement wherein she blamed government supporters for bringing trouble to the city. In her statement, Parent said that people in Petion-Ville are now suffering because the municipal government's function has been limited. She claimed that government supporters are creating trouble in the city in order to prevent the municipal government from doing its job to the fullest.

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Two universities in South Florida have expressed their appreciation towards alumni and Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe for his political efforts and contribution. Lamothe received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Barry University, where he graduated in 1996. He got a degree in Political Science at the university, which also gave the award to two other alumni - podiatric physician Dr. Luis Marin and Mimi Watson Sutherland. Sutherland spearheads Jackson Medical Center's GATE program.

Lamothe welcomed the award, saying that it was such an honor to receive such recognition from his alma mater. If not for Barry University, he would not be the man he is today, Lamothe added. The award is given to Barry graduates who have made great achievements in their fields, as well as those who uphold the university's values and mission. Business leaders, politicians, coaches, and teachers, among others, have been recognized in the past.

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On Monday, November 13, 2012 Haitian students continued their demonstration over the death of one of their owns. This was the third day of non stop protest, where students are demanding justice for the death of Damael d'Haiti, a student shot and killed by a police officer over the weekend at the School of Law and Social Sciences in Port-au-Prince.

"En Ayiti, Jistis Se moun Ki Ba Tet ou Sa..."

Haitian police and CIMO surrendering the protesters, blocked their exit from the law school, and fired tear gas. It has been reported that many people were affected by the gas. Children returning from school as well as other people going about their activities were affected.

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London, England is hosting the Summer 2012 Olympic Games, which will run from Friday, July 27th to Sunday, August 12th. Haiti has a total of nine representatives, five of whom have already qualified to compete in the 30th Olympiad.

Field and Track athlete Samyr Laine will compete in the Triple Jump Event. In the Triple Jump, ability to gain forward momentum and yet get enough lift-off, but not too much, is key to a good Triple Jumper. Laine is one of only three competitors in this narrow-field event.

Samyr Laine's colleague, Linouse Desravines, will compete in Judo in the 52 kg. The other three qualified athletes will also be competing in Field and Track Events: Moïse Joseph, in the 800 m Event; Marleine Wesh, in the 400 m; and Jeffrey Julmis, in the 110 m/Hurdles Event.

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According to Haitian newspaper Haiti Observateur, Haitian businessman Clifford Brandt who is currently jailed for his involvement in the kidnapping of two Moscosso children, made revelations that are disturbing to the current presidential family as well as some other influential members of the Haitian society.

The newspaper cited U.S. officials who participated in the interrogation of Clifford Brandt and also French authorities who have been investigating another gang leader Amaral Duclona.

According to Haiti Observateur Clifford Brandt he is not the leader of the gang. He claims that he is number 5 down in the Kidnapping network. Above him comes directly Olivier Martelly who is number 6. Mr. Olivier Martelly is one of the sons of the current Haitian President Michel Martelly. It was further declared that the wife of the President was a direct beneficiary of Clifford Brandt kidnapping network. This comes in direct contributions of Clifford Brandt to help fund their various projects.

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On the night between Thursday, November 8 and Friday November 9, 2012 heavy rains poured for in the North Department causing lost of several lives as well as damages to homes and agriculture.

The cities and towns most affected include: Cap-Haïtien, Limonade and Quartier-Morin. It was also reported that some towns in Nippes Departments were affected. It include Baradères, de Fonds des Nègres, Miragoâne, Petit-­Trou, Plaisance and L'Azile.

Video:

It has been reported that about 12 people became victim of the flood so far. This is e preliminary assessment. Most of the victims lived in the beds of ravines and were surprised by the flash floods. Several people were reported missing.

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The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) arrested Clifford Brandt, a businessman and entrepreneur, accused of kidnapping two youths, Coralie and Nicolas Moscoso. They were abducted on Bourdon Road. The kidnapping laid bare a network of abductors, who have been targeting victims for abduction for many years.

The arrest occurred on October 16, 2012 by the Cell Against Kidnapping and Criminal Brigade of the Haitian National Police (HNP). Five other suspects connected to the abduction were also taken into custody.

The abduction network has spread to the HNP. Senior command police officers and inspectors, past and present, have been implicated in abduction plots across Haiti. In particular, Inspector Edner Comé is being actively pursued, considered armed and dangerous.

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