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Planner you provide lots of answers and help.  Your experiences are what people are looking for.  What do you mean?

Planner, I love & respect your devotion & care that you give to this site. I would imagine that years of answering the same questions over & over again would prove onerous to say the least.( ie. residencia & heath insurance) I don't think that telling a couple of kids to go stand in the corner is a reason to retire from the site.  The site needs you.  IT does not need the errant few. Take another short break, but come back, WE NEED YOU!

Planner, I am shocked. There are very few who have contributed to this web site more than you have. You have always been the voice of reason. Your perspective and vision of life in the DR has always been in my opinion spot on.
I have been absent from this site for a while, but I do check in once in a while. I will say one thing however. I have noticed on some of your last posts you responded to, it seemed to me you were getting tired. I detected a tone in your comments that are un-like you. You probably do need a break from it for a while. I have no problem with that, but I do hope to see you back to your usual self.

Hello Planner:

We here at Abreu & Associates appreciate your efforts and all of the valuable information that you provide.   We know that dealing with people can be a challenge and can sometimes be a thankless job, but please know that there are those of us who truly value the service that you provide through this site!

Don't go! You can't please everyone. I've only been on this forum for 1 month, and I already appreciate the valuable info you put out there.

Thanks!

Jenny

Planner I feel your pain.  That is why I am taking a break and plan on returning in a month or so. 
Don't loose touch

Bob K

planner is it possible that the owners of the site can find maybe two more moderators that you and Bob can rotate with? I can see where dealing with the same thing over and over again could become very tiring and very frustrating, but you and Bob doing an awesome job and are always very helpful and there are many of us out here who would really be very disappointed to lose either of you.

Wow.  I’m not an expat yet but you’ve been incredibly helpful.  Hope you’ll reconsider and come back.

Planner, It's a shame that you've been made to feel so beaten down. Hope you will consider returning after you've healed for a while.
You're a powerhouse of a leader, and most of us appreciate your sweat and tears. Too bad some others cannot be persuaded to leave. Like you've said, if they don't like it, they're welcome to leave anytime, no hard feelings.
Alas, because of a few, the rest of us would miss you.

Don't let it be the end of an era; an era of common sense, endurance, of patience, fortitude, devotion to an ideal, of giving continually to a sometimes unappreciative audience.  To be forced to retire after years of service is a shame.  Not even to be given a gold watch....... You have been given the respect & thanks of the many to whom you have helped so much.The time & help that you have given me during a time of pain & stress while I battled cancer & now the hell of going blind. You did this through PM's & emails for months & months. Yes Planner, you are a giver of the first order. We need you, I need you..........

Amen to that, brother! (or sister)

I will respond to private messages only from now on. Sorry but some people ruin it for everyone! 

Sad but true.  I refuse to be attacked and bullied by certain people. I do not need the grief.  I am sorry for those who were awesome, you made it easy.

I love sharing my passion for this country. I just wont do it publicly here anymore.

How do you PM, again?
Only did it once, don't remember.

Just click on the persons username.

I  want to be very clear that my decision has nothing to do with new people asking me questions that I have already answered.

My decision is not about them at all.

I continue to be available privately to those needing help.  I am no longer herding cats on this forum!

Cats are independent, they march to the their own beat.

Ive only been on this board a sgort while. I have enjoyed and apprexiated your pist. The infoemarion has been veey helpful to me. Im sad and sorey that you are done.

The general consensus is a sad one, it is a great loss to those in need. Self preservation is an universal fact. Go & do whatever it is to refuel the fire you had. You are not selfish, just fed up with the bull shit.  Go get blisters from dancing.

I too miss Planner.  This site , I believe, is an open forum, therefore, I humbly request that you get off your high horse & join us, the those of us who only castigate when appropiate.(sp)  Come Ommmma, dance with us in the streets, hills & beaches of our minds.

Greetings Oommma. My coment was in defense of the herding cats comments. If there are no swipes taken at me, I for the most part keep my paws to myself, now......on to explain a few things to you since that is out of the way  I'm not sure if you read this thread from the beginning, but if you did, you would notice that I was no where involved in what took place.  I have not and would never encourage anyone to leave an open forum at any time, but in my case the same courtesy was not shown to me or others for that part. 
     I have admitted that moderating is best left to someone with experience on the ground and once again never encouraged anyone to leave.  I participate in many other forums, and believe me, the little differences of opinions we have on this site are quite tame in comparisson to what goes on over there, but a simple reprimand does the job and things get back on track.
      Moderating is like being a ref in a boxing match, nba, nfl, mlb game etc.  They are there to perform a job, and that is to maintain fairplay. Do folks always agree with the refs decision? Sometimes yes sometimes no. Will his or her job be frustrating at times? Yes it can be, but that is what they signed up for and I guess if any of those folks simply tired of their job, they will no longer do it.  I have yet to witness an event which did not require the involvement of an arbiter, in other words they know they will be required to repeat some of their actions and might even face some disagreement from time to time to accomplish fairplay, but that comes with the job. Refs do not personalize or let their emotions get the better part of them, because they know it comes with the territory, can you imagine the turnover rates on refs if they all personalized what happens at each event.  You can't arbitrate in an open platform and expect everything to always be peaches and cream, I don't think that is even possible in an elementary classroom.  I have always stated that we all have opinions to contribute and be it good or bad, that information which might not be usefull to one person, might be a life saver for someone else.  Once again if you look up the exchange that prompted this thread, it had nothing to do with me at all, and for the most part I kept my paws out of it, but if you read the original exchange which led to this one, one of the participants told the moderator she was out of line with her delivery.  I have no problem with the moderator at all, & have always felt her contributions are most essential, but there will be times when others will present a narrative from a different angle, and that also should be given some merit as long as it is thruthful......How boring would the world be if there was only flavor of icecream to enjoy. 
     Cats are noble animals, they pounce if they are provoked, they are independent, playfull, and can be a bit disruptive at times in order to liven things up a bit.....To me it sounds like a cat being a cat, not necessarily good or bad, simply being a cat, so if the expectation is to go along to get along, then that is simply not me.  We all make decisions in life and I have always said: Life is too short to spend it doing what you do not enjoy.....so Oommma if you feel those of us who do not always go along with the popular narrative are the bad cats, then we will wear it as a badge of honor, but in no way we endorse anyone leaving. We endorse spirited and factual discussions. We can always agree to dissagree which is fine, but let's do it in a respectful manner.  My humble opinion.

Tinker, if my opinion appears to be from a high horse then that is from your perspective.  From my perspective it is my opinion and as you say, this is an open forum and I am free to express it.

ParadiseCat, who has time for all that?  If you have that much to say in defense of yourself, then you need too much defense.  Like you I am not an expat, but for the past 7 years or so I have come to this board for information and learned a lot both good and bad.  I don't pretend to have the knowledge or experience of a true expat, but contribute when and where I can.

In the past generally people came here to ask questions and got answers.  Occasionally, there would be useful discussions and even a few disagreements.  Nothing like lately where people ramble on and on like they are on a high school debate team.

I can't help but notice that there are several new threads with unanswered questions...yet you and Tinker replied to me.  Helpful!  Good job!!!

Reply if you like.  I am done with this topic.

Perhaps some of the questions are unanwered because there are no answers to be given....If we would focus more on the task at hand then we would not have to rebutt with the rambling as you so eloquently put it.....I agree peronal swipes are not useful, but do not expect to name someone in the commentary and expect them to remain silent.....As you said let us be done and get back to the order of things....That I can agree with.

Paradise Cat, I must comment, I live here in DR in peace and this forum and it's moderators have been a treasure trove of wealth to me and my family for two years now. Please, por favor, deja de lloriquear y déjanos en paz. Stop the nonsense.

Girls, tis time to sit down and have a nice cup of tea..... or beer, a R/C or wine.  Let us move on. ..........say to the demise of the Monkey Jungle.  A true loss to the community. How about that?

Manito siento mucho que usted piense que estoy lloriqueando. Yo también me he beneficiado de la información, pero como dije antetiormente, si nadie se mete conmigo yo no me meto con nadie.... Simplemente como otros que opinan en este foro, tendré mis opiniones igual que usted, asi que agradecidamente usted a lo suyo y yo a lo mio. Su opinión es muy apreciada. Gracias.

Sorry to hear about the loss of the monkey jungle tinker....It filled a much needed void in the community, is there any written material on the closing. Thanks.

For all who wish to blame me for what sparked this thread.....Go see for yourself what provoked it and then cast judgement....I never posted anything on that thread until after the exchange took place.  I don't consider myself that influential or powerful to have anyone paeticipate or not participate, but we must also remember this is a public forum in which many will provide their input. Sometimes we will agree or disaagree like in any family. I have no grudges or resentment....I simply ask that no one post is above that of any other. Good or Bad. Buenas Noches.

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i dont blame you. I keep seeing the same questions in this forum over and over.
The dumbest ones are when foreigners ask where they can get a good paying job in the DR.
Who the hell moves here from an affluent country looking for a job, a place where unskilled labor earns about 125 bucks a month?

Just want to say thanks, your post have been very helpful

Thank you to everyone with your positive comments.

Reality is that the repetition of questions does not bother me.   

It is  dealing with people who don't want to follow a basic set of rules.

I have noticed a definite lack of answers on this forum. I can only think  those who don't want to follow rules ALSO dont want to be helpful or don't actually have the knowledge to be helpful,  just want to forward their agendas, whatever they are.

What suffers is this forum.  That is not fair but that is the situation. I am considering coming back but I will not tolerate any  crap from anyone.

How I tried to moderate here:

1. courtesy and respect for everyone
2. Stick to the topic - no more hijacking threads
3. no name calling or aggressive behavior.
4. It is FINE to not have the same opinion but not attacking the opinion of others.

Two thumbs up!

As a fellow Canadian making the move to the DR this fall, I am personally thrilled you are contemplating a comeback.  This is my first post, but have been lurking for a while.  I understand your frustration, and share it.  By and large, the people on this site are fantastic, and the information is priceless to someone like me.  A bit of differing opinions in a discussion is healthy, and necessary to see a different point of view, but I agree, the drama should be avoided.  My wife and I have bought 2 properties, and make the permanent jump this fall, and there is still so much to learn.  The biggest issue is not even knowing what we don't know yet, so these threads and forums are absolutely key to our success.  Please ignore the agitators, and accept our deep thanks for sharing so much with us.

Planner glad to hear you may have a change of heart.  I have had a wonderful vacation and have somewhat enjoyed my  "time off" from the board.  We will be returning home Monday and I will be back on the forum then. 

A wash out period was good. 

Bob K

I for one am very pleased to hear this Planner. Even though still very new here, Planner and Bob and others who are in the know are super helpful. I don't mind mind being told (reminded) to not to this or that. Being a lazy old fart, at least where computers are concerned, when I muck up inadvertently, being told to smarten up  does help. Discussion and opinion do vary but the position those who monitor this forum need to be respected in the same manner that their direction is given - respectfully, precisely and in the same spirit that makes this such a great discussion forum. Specific discussions on contentious topics can always be moved or started on a separate thread where, if the administration that runs and approves these inputs doesn't deem it appropriate, they will deny it and those who monitor remain looking at all the daily inputs from us all. Wow, what a bag of wind  I am - to that end thanks monitors, and Planner, take the break - and I look forward to being "put in my place" many more times in the future ---hahahaha

I for one will miss your knowledge and wide array experience on many topics. Your a valuable resource of infomative message Dennis Kearns

An observation on cats, they're fickle.....
I know, I'm off the subject.
I am sorry, Just couldn't resist any longer.  ; )
Will try harder next time.

  Let sleeping cats lay.

I am as happy as a hive of bees discovering a new field of flowers.  Planner, you will always be a honey for me.  As old "Willy" said: " Therein lies the rub".  I do tend to roam far afield at times, believing an additional idea or thought might elicit further thoughts on the subject at hand. I now am aware of my failure to accomplish this goal. I apologize to all.