Pre Christmas Update

We are closing out 2025, year of the Snake symbolizing shedding and looking forward to the year of the Horse, symbolizing moving forward.

To simplify the long and complicated stories:

RE: the Guillet property – there was a possible fraud by the neighbour who was encroaching on McDowell’s family land. This clitch is holding up the survey needed for the title to be registered in McDowell's name.  We are waiting for the surveyor and the researcher at the Registry Office to make their reports.   The lawyer cannot go ahead without these documents.  Probably after the Christmas break.  This little piece of land has been in his mother’s family for generations. In those days nobody had surveys, titles or registration; everything was considered ‘family land’.  Most of that family is either far-flung, old, sick or dead, but he can prove the line. The lot is bounded by the Manicou River and the Pennville Road.

RE: the Bay Street property where we have the house and Bar – the urgent pressure is off. We do have to move, but it turns out that McDowell is the executor of Miss Gwenny’s will, and as such the ‘other side’ can claim the property because they were named in Miss Marion’s will.  However,  until McDowell’s side is heard, the Court cannot rule when, if, or circumstances.  Miss Marion’s will gives the property to them and their heirs, as well as lifetime occupancy to her niece Gwendolyn. Miss Gwenny bequeathed the property to McDowell, although she did not ‘own’ the land.  It was not hers to give.  He will not benefit from any sale, and he will lose the little $300 Canadian rent he gets from the convenience shop on the other side.  Nothing will happen now.  Everyone is on Christmas holiday.  It can take years. Meanwhile we are here.

RE: the Land at Destinee (farm/garden/Zion).  The eastern boundary is causing some problems.  The neighbour is encroaching, i.e. planting on Magloire boundary line.  At long last, we have found one of the rare honest, licensed surveyors in Dominica.  That boundary needs to be redone and reestablished, and will be.

RE: the fond (valley)and acers at Champs Elysee are OK; fallow because there needs to be a feeder road established there to bring out any produce.

RE: Mont Morson acres - for sale

 

This is our thought: to build a little house at Guillet, and to open a small, more upscale Bar/restaurant/ live music venue, at Vance’s property on Bay Street, which has a big back yard and a room for a souvenir/gift shop/art gallery.  Waiting for Vance’s appeal on this, his building, to be finalised so we can make this move.