Councilman Julio Tavarez joined Sociedad Pro Desarrollo de Ranchete and hundreds of Rancheteros for the grand opening of Paterson Bulevar – Ranchete’s first and only paved road.

Ranchete is a neighborhood located in the municipality of Los Hidalgos in the Dominican province of Puerto Plata. Since the 60’s folks from Ranchete have been migrating to the United States and many of them settled  in the city of Paterson.  It is estimated that about 300 people reside in Ranchete; while more than 3000 Rancheteros and their descendants are estimated to reside in the city of Paterson.

La Sociedad Pro Desarollo de Ranchete is a Pateson based organization made up of Rancheteros and descendants of Rancheteros whose mission is to assist in the development of Ranchete.  In the past, they have worked together with the Dominican government, business owners and residents of both Paterson and Ranchete to build a school, provide running water, electricity and Cable TV; now, they built Paterson Bulevar.  Councilman Tavarez stated, “It is great to see what people can do when they collaborate.  Sociedad Pro Desarrollo de Ranchete has been able to great things for Ranchete because they have brought government, business owners, non-profits and residents together to work one cause – the betterment of Ranchete.”

During the grand opening of Paterson Bulevar, Sociedad Pro Desarollo de Ranchete’s Ramon Guzman stated that many have asked him “why Paterson Bulevar and not something else?” Then, he asked all people in attendance that if they currently live or have lived in Paterson to please standup. At this point, more than half of than of the hundreds in attendance proudly stood up.  After witnessing this, Councilman Tavarez stated, “This is my first time visiting the Ranchete, but I feel at home with so many Patersonians in our midst.”

With progress come other issues, for instance the creation of the first road, brings about the first traffic jam in Ranchete (see photo below).  Councilman Tavarez stated, “it was truly an honor to be part of so many ‘first’ for Ranchete – including the traffic jam.”

For more photos, please click here.