BajaNomad - Loreto Bay CEO on Baja Talk Radio

Loreto Bay CEO on Baja Talk Radio

MexicoTed - 4-10-2006 at 09:56 AM

Hey Nomads,

Finally! We have a show about the Loreto Bay Development tomorrow (Tuesday, April 11th). Our guest will be CEO and President Jim Grogan and we'll discuss the status of the project today and the future of Loreto.

We welcome all email (new email is bajatalkradio@yahoo.com) and telephone (new toll free number is 866-613-1612) questions.... be somewhat kind if you are against the project as it took alot to get him to be a guest.

Once again the show homepage is

http://www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=126

Hope you will listen and it looks like we will finally have consistent shows as the management has finally settled everything with the new studio equipment and personel.

Glad to be back,
Ted

David K - 4-10-2006 at 10:02 AM

This should be good!

flyfishinPam - 4-10-2006 at 02:11 PM

Ok the show is from 3-4pm Pacific Time right?? Yeah this should be good I'll definately be listening in!

Loreto Bay

Garry - 4-10-2006 at 03:09 PM

Would someone let Skeet know (WHERE IS THE WATER)

jcurland - 4-10-2006 at 04:32 PM

Should be very intresting, wonder if anyone will bring up the article in the Gringo Gaz? Either way at least we will here it from the horses mouth. Of course, with a grain of salt.

MexicoTed - 4-11-2006 at 09:42 AM

Yes, the new showtime for BAJA TALK RADIO is 3-4pm Pacific time and we have a new email as I mentioned (bajatalkradio@yahoo.com).
Ted

Dave - 4-11-2006 at 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MexicoTed
be somewhat kind if you are against the project as it took alot to get him to be a guest.

Why was that, exactly? I would think he would want all the publicity he could get.

I would.

<Unless I was trying to hide something>

bajajudy - 4-11-2006 at 11:28 AM

Did anyone hear the show. I cant get anything to happen on the website. Tried yesterday and again today...but nooooooooooooo.

bajajudy - 4-11-2006 at 11:58 AM

Got it

Ted. Your site doesnt work with Netscape browser.

Paula - 4-11-2006 at 12:11 PM

Judy
Do you have a windows media player in your computer? I clicked on the site, and when it came up I clicked on the "listen to the archives" box. This brought out my media player. I looked at the schedule (clicked that box at top of page) and tried to listen to the show in progress, and couldn't recieve it, although I did receive archives. The listener support box, also at the top, talks about what you need to listen, and says that you need less of it to listen to archives. I'm assuming we'll get the show somehow today at 4pm in Loreto, or at least the archives after. Hope this helps- I'm not much of a computer expert.

Pompano
the coffee cup was really cool!

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by Paula]

Pompano - 4-11-2006 at 12:18 PM

Paula and Judy...I have no idea how I got the program so easily. I just buy the machine, turn it on, and it works it's magic.

I have XP Windows Pro if that means anything. There was a little box that I clicked and some genie up/down-whatever-loaded the whole mess onto my computer.

At this moment I am listening to a religious/philosophy program...which I guess means I am on the road to the right program with Ted...and also salvation, which will surprise my wife I am sure.

So you like that cup of coffee, eh? Thought you would...got to warn you though, you can float a wrench on this coffee....you better have some cream? sugar?

bajajudy - 4-11-2006 at 12:59 PM

Oh everything seems to work fine in explorer. I have a pop up blocker on Netscape which may be blocking the media player from.....you guessed it...popping up.
Now all I have to do is remember to listen. Now that I have the correct day

Pomp, This computer stuff is PFM, isnt it.

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by bajajudy]

Paula - 4-11-2006 at 01:12 PM

Judy,
Glad to hear it all works... it should be pretty intersting on this trhread this evening!

Pompano,
Next ime Don and I pass by a sign on the highway that syas Pompano, we'll be stopping... no cream or sugar necessary, thank you!

bajajudy - 4-11-2006 at 03:05 PM

It is starting. Ted needs to learn how to speak French. I guess that is him. Fountain blow :no:

Paula - 4-11-2006 at 03:12 PM

Has The Man entered the building yet?

Very nice painting Pompano, is it one of yours?

Cardon - 4-11-2006 at 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano

Yes..and No.. on Rudolfo of Mulege..this is a work done by a friend in Idaho who took it off one of my photos of Rudolfo. I have drawn and painted a couple, but I love the warmth shown here of a fellow bistro-lover like this old-timer.

Did your friend use real paint or did he use Corel Painter/Photoshop? Either way its very nice. Does he sell copies? If so, he might make some money from some nomads on here.

My notes on the talk

bajajudy - 4-11-2006 at 03:56 PM

8000 acre jewel in the heart of "the" Baja.

Here we go: more authentic mexican villages...with wine and cheese shops...jeez.
:barf:

600 homes sold, 150 to be finished in 60 days.

Smile....what is that.

Promises:

create more water than we use

create more electricity renewable non polluting.. wind mills on the Pacific

create more bio mass.....transpeninsular...aqua vida. growing mangroves to renew the estuary.

created separate foundation..job training, affordable housing. helping build a new hospital($1,000,000)

$300,000,000 sales

new sewage treatment plant. ordered composting facility. organic farming.

19 wells ....they will not use.

population.....

5000 acres open space.

buying the golf course, salt water grass on a new course.

Inn at Loreto Bay....their base of operation and open to the public.

BacknineDan...........stucco problems....

Desal...major issue.

Capt mike wants to park his plane

Well, that was interesting

Sharksbaja - 4-11-2006 at 03:59 PM

Part of my 2nd question was partly answered. Here is what I asked:

Quote:

Hello Mr. Grogan my name is Corky . I own a home in Baja Sur. I have been an opponent to shoreside developments in sensitve and threatened areas for many years. Inasmuch I am extremely fond of Loreto, the "Bay" and its' citizens.

I am not however opposed to ALL nearsshore projects , mainly those that compromise the local ecosystem and environment.

My question(s) is one that is repeatedly asked rergarding the Villages of Loreto Bay.

It seems there is much concern over the future availability of necessary services in and around Loreto.

Many believe that Loreto will fall way short of these utilities in the near future without huge investments and infrastructure given the current rate of growth.

-------------------------

Can you tell us what concrete plans you have for upgrading or supplementing the energy and water needs of the town in the near and distant future?

Also, are you prepared to help augment the existing utilities in order to fulfill your promises and commitments to your clients and people of Loreto if it becomes necessary sooner than expected?

-----------------------
My last question addresses the "Bay" itself.

Will the quality of the "Bay" remain untouched by the (your) current developments in regards to sewage treatment and effluent outfall?

Thank you for your time and concern.

I guess he tried to cover the 1st question in his opening dialog. I don't know about you but I find the responses about the waste and energy issues basically unresolved :mad:

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by Sharksbaja]

So do I...

flyfishinPam - 4-11-2006 at 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja

I guess he tried to cover the 1st question in his opening dialog. I don't know about you but I find the responses about the waste and energy issues basically unresolved :mad:

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by Sharksbaja]

I found the responses to be canned sales talk. And the promises sound something like the promises made by local politicians around election time. Baja Judy summed it up very well. and all this doesn't surprize me at all, except the question that backninedan asked about the stucco. Maybe some of those workers should have called in. And create more water than they use? gimme a break! they're going to replant over the aquifers so that they can become recharged over many years time.....try tens of millions of years! :lol:

Paula - 4-11-2006 at 04:11 PM

Sharksbaja,
Your questions not only went unanswered, they went unasked by the interviewer. All questions-- the few that were used-- seemed to be excerpted, and what may have been substantial questions were substantially reduced.

This was not an interview, it was an infomercial.

flyfishinPam - 4-11-2006 at 04:11 PM

this ought to make ya laugh...

I have a copy paste of an old e-mail that I sent Sharky regarding the create more water than they use idea. Really I couldn't make this up, but thought you all could use a good laugh..

"Last night Francisco and I were invited to dinner at El Nido. When we left the building Francisco had a smoke and we spoke with our friends before leaving. Out comes a motorcycle looking dude to have a smoke away from his friends. Turns out he's the "LB Ecologist". We were talking about saving water because our friends asked us why our truck is so dusty. We're waiting for the next rain of course! Well just after our two friends left, this ecologist told us the LB will be "making water" so I asked if this means a de-sal plant will go in at some point, no~ he says that they'll be planting plants that will make water! "So", I say, "will you be creating a rain forest?" He says that yes they will as he's from the Olympic Peninsula and he joked that he'd bring some plants with him. I asked will they survive drought conditions? But then he told us that they will be planting native plants really close together and that thats going to "make water", at least "that is the plan". I laughed and asked him if he knew that desert plants put out toxins into the soil to prevent other plants (including their own species) from growing nearby, decreasing their population density because of lack of water in their ecosystem. I did not tell him that I studied plant physiology at SSU and UCD and that I specialized in desert plants before getting heavily into organic chemistry. His look was classic! I asked him if this was the first time he'd ever heard of this phenomenon, and he said that he was "following a plan". What a joke, now they're going to create a desert rain forest! What next?"

WOW! :lol:

Affordable??

John M - 4-11-2006 at 04:12 PM

Starting at 300k - sure not going to be a second home for most of us Nomads, I don't believe.

The guest used lots of promises, sales pitches - I think he tried to sell us acreage in California City about 30 years ago; same sort of wild goals and promises. Must admit Loreto has more going for it than California City.

We need this diversity on Baja Talk Radio though.

John M

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by John M]

Sharksbaja - 4-11-2006 at 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyfishinPam

Quote:

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by Sharksbaja]

Yep, sounded rehearsed to me. I don't think you have to worry much about the desal plant. :lol:

Smart business people won't invest in a system with too much "gray area" :lol:

But the wind farm in S. Juanico will be a thing of beauty. So will the scar over the mountains created when they install the poles for the wires. :no:

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by Sharksbaja]

flyfishinPam - 4-11-2006 at 04:15 PM

Yes Paula it was nothing more than an informercial. Geeze I should have called in to ask why LB never had a town meeting for the local Spanish speaking populace like they did for the english speakers. This was to dispell rumors. I was too busy to attend but of what I heard that was discussed at the meeting I was looking very forward to going to the Spanish verison. Of course I would have sat near a door for a quick escape because a riot definately would have broken out. :lol:

Don Alley - 4-11-2006 at 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyfishinPam
...And create more water than they use? gimme a break! they're going to replant over the aquifers so that they can become recharged over many years time.....try tens of millions of years! :lol:

Well, we can't help but to wish them luck with their efforts to find water. After all, it's not Loreto Bay that needs water, it's Loreto that needs water. Fonatur sold "Loreto's water"to Loreto Bay, according to Grogan.

Kind of puts them LB in a strong bargaining position if we don't like their alternative plans.

Wonder why Grogan didn't mention cloud seeding from balloons and blimps. :lol:

flyfishinPam - 4-11-2006 at 04:29 PM

Don,

Remember when Mayor Ramon Davis sold the town square (with the gazebo and bust of Presidente Juarez) to Mr. Marceletti of Posada de las Flores? The people were so furious over that , that the next mayor tony Verdugo ran on a platform of giving the plaza back to the people. Tony won that election and gave the square back to the people. Well the same kind of thing can happen again if LB really was given all rights to the citys water. This kind of crapola may be why a Spanish speaking meeting over LB issues has never been presented to the people.

Sharksbaja - 4-11-2006 at 04:30 PM

Did he not say that"Fonatur is responsible for the infrastructure" ? He knows damn well where the water and juice will come from ....duh.....same place it is now.....from the Mexicans, it's their resdponsibility! :lol:

durn it kant spel tooday...........

mabee ime n shok!

[Edited on 4-11-2006 by Sharksbaja]

backninedan - 4-11-2006 at 09:05 PM

What a softball interview, "here ya go Loreto bay hack, you can hit this easy question out of the park" My email to them had three questions. The first two questions were concerning the poor living conditions for Loreto Bay workers and non payment of wages. The poor living conditions can be seen daily here in Loreto, and non-payment of wages was told directly to me by several current and former employees. They chose the question envolving problems with construction techniques. Silly me, I expected and interview, not just a free advertisement for Loreto Bay.

bajajudy - 4-11-2006 at 09:11 PM

TED
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to hear all of the people that you interview. Not only did you allow us to actually hear someone from Loreto Bay but you also have allowed us to hear first hand from some of our favorite authors, sports enthusiasts, etc. People who have something to say about Baja.
Your event announcements help all of us know what is happening.
Muchisimas Gracias.

Worldtraveller - 4-11-2006 at 09:22 PM

Here are a couple of articles a friend showed me about windpower & desalination in Spain. Of course, Spain is a different world than Baja.

I can't figure out whether this is credible and applicable to Baja. Am posting so that those with quicker minds on these topics can give an opinion.

http://www.technologyreview.com/microsites/spain/water/

http://www.technologyreview.com/microsites/spain/

Phil C - 4-12-2006 at 05:16 AM

Most disturbing to me is the idea that L.B. has the rights to the wells in the San Juan valley. Loreto has no control over thier own water supply?

bajalou - 4-12-2006 at 07:06 AM

Thanks for the show Ted - allowing us to listen to someone saying something about Baja Calif.

I certainly don't expect your show to be "60 minutes".

Dave - 4-12-2006 at 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil C
Most disturbing to me is the idea that L.B. has the rights to the wells in the San Juan valley. Loreto has no control over thier own water supply?

Nope. All riparian rights are owned by the federal government. You can't drill a well on your property without a permit. (Difficult to obtain an expensive) And if used for other than agricultural purposes, you will pay for water extracted.

capt. mike - 4-12-2006 at 02:39 PM

Grogan did a good job. i hope he succeeds. $330K for a beach front is a bargain. look at costs in other US coastal areas. snooze ya lose in real estate. not my cup of tea but for others, why not. it ain't over till yogi berra sings....................... :saint:

thx for getting my Q up Ted but he missed the point, having help entering and processing papers when in private AC is easy but not really needed for most baja flyers after one trip getting the hang of it. What he needs is some influence over MMLT ops to make it user friendly to flying residents, like Guaymas does. As it stands now, my dream goes to San Carlos where JZ is for a great deal at a great area. Baja is an in between place, ok to visit for now.

LB interview

tehag - 4-13-2006 at 03:24 PM

Too bad the interview wasn't televised, they could have shown the new sewage works.

bancoduo - 4-13-2006 at 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tehag
Too bad the interview wasn't televised, they could have shown the new sewage works.

Thats an improvement; They used to chit where they stood. How were they housebroken? :lol:

MexicoTed - 4-14-2006 at 05:58 PM

Hey Nomads:

Glad to see the show was well-listened to and now well-discussed. It certainly will be a top show as far as listeners.

As far as questions, please remember I try to get to all questions and you can ask pretty much anything. The problem with this particular show was I received 78 questions and most came during the show. Since I receive the emails directly during the interview, it's difficult to go through them all.

Questions such as Corky's and Capt. Mike's are just a little too long to go pick out the right spots. They are great questions, but when they are 4 or five small paragraphs it makes it difficult. Plus Mike I have to admit I didn't know what MMLT. As far as Backninedan's questions, the "stucco" one came first and since I try to answer them in order, Inever go to your other one's. I did email you this after the show to let you know this.

As far as powderpuff questions, I just try to get the basic questions out to him and let you ask either positive or negative questions of the guest. I did ask a couple times about the environmental impact, water, waste, etc so.... Nothing was scripted and as you can see Jim was adept at good, long answers promoting his company. Also don't forget, that any calls receive first position on questions and we did get a few of those.

I'm just glad people are listening as their was mention of cancelling this show (not by me, but by the station) as we are having so much difficulty getting a sponsor (or group of sponsors). For the next couple months we'll be on the air regularly and we'll see if we can find some businesses to sponsor us.....

Thanks again for listening,
Ted

capn.sharky - 4-14-2006 at 06:24 PM

You all seemed to be surprised by the LB response to questions. Call it an infomercial, sales pitch, etc. I am not surprised at all. LB uses smoke and mirrors to hide its bullsh-t project with all its faults. Fonatur looks the other way and they have dumped the poorly built hotel that is sinking on the Canadian Company. Now for the truth in advertising....Loreto Bay, Lousy Construction, Overpriced, Oversold, Lousy Idea. Come buy one of our crummy homes, built on shallow beachfront with no concern for Hurricanes and earthquakes. We are building a genuine Mexican Pueblo for rich Canadians and stupid Americans. We will provide you with fresh water and sewage systems, NOT. You can rent your unit out and it will pay for itself in only 799 years---if rented full time. Of course you must buy our furniture package for only $40,000 american dollars if you want in the rental pool. Speaking of pools, be sure to visit our cesspool of a project the next time you are passing through Baja Sur. We are not full of crap, we are a Canadian Company. :lol:

capt. mike - 4-15-2006 at 06:17 AM

oh, come on now Sharky, tell us how you really feel!! :lol:

Phil S - 4-15-2006 at 07:15 AM

Sharky. You & the guys still spreading that "hotel sinking" crap at Cafe Ole? I spend time at the hotel for breakfast & occational drinks (like two nights ago) and if that hotel is sinking into the sand, I'd like you to produce some proof of that "comment". Making statements like that is not "productive" to anyones project, whether it be tongue in cheek or maliciously made. Now I'm just talking about the hotel. I don't have an engineers degree, or construction background that I can challenge your statements of the condition of the work techniques of the rest of the project. But. I've built five homes in my lifetime, have a little knowledge of construction, and I haven't seen what you refer to. Help me out here. What's your background? Your statements sound like first hand knowledge. I'm somewhat defensive of this project, yes. Maybe because I live here. In fact. Yes. Because I do live here I guess. And yes. Your still welcome at our home anytime because we've met once & can be civil too about our concerns.

bajalera - 4-15-2006 at 09:41 AM

Thanks for that detailed info, Judy and Pam.

How great that excess water is going to be generated by all those imported Olympic Peninsula trees--which as a fringe benefit will probably cause snow to fall at Loreto in winter.

I hope they'll be kind enough to channel some of the excess down to La Paz, so our faucets will no longer run dry from time to time on summer evenings.

Paula - 4-15-2006 at 11:05 AM

Quote:

I hope they'll be kind enough to channel some of the excess down to La Paz, so our faucets will no longer run dry from time to time on summer evenings.

Lera, I didn't know that this happens in La Paz. I suspect that water will be scarce in Loreto long before Loreto Bay starts manufacturing thier own.

Jim Grogan did say in the interview that Loreto Bay has rights to Loreto's water. I thought this to be the only relevant piece of information in the interview, which I have rudely called an infomercial.

Probably many of us know how water comes in Oaxaca, and perhaps in other mainland areas. It comes throuhg the pipes every other day. I learned this the embarassing way, by washing my hair and shaving my legs on a Tuesday. The family I was staying with did without water that day. And I learned how to take a shower using about 2 quarts of water! Hotels and restaurants have priority and HUGE storage capacity. The well off have all they need. The middle class are very careful about what they use, and the poor just do without.

Let's hope this isn't the future for BCS!

Cafe Ole guys

capn.sharky - 4-15-2006 at 12:15 PM

I don't know any of those guys at the Cafe Ole, Phil. But I have talked to people that work for LB and have been told first hand about the project. Also, during the hurricane Martin, the roof of the hotel leaked and all three floors were flooded. As for the sinking, I believe it was a manager (who is no longer there) that told me one of the sections had settled lower than the others. It is, afterall, built on backfill. I am not malicious about Loreto Bay--I am not particularly fond of the project as it drains off resources needed in Loreto. I have seen the construction firsthand and, while I am no contractor, I think the construction is very shabby and possibly unsafe. That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it. If I were to invest in Nopolo, I would prefer to buy one of the original houses like the one you have. Loreto Bay is out of town, so I don't really give a crap about the construction. But, I do feel sorry for anyone putting their retirement money into the place. So we will agree to disagree on this subject---no problema. But, please don't paint me with the same brush as the guys at Cafe Ole. You might be insulting them.

backninedan - 4-15-2006 at 12:41 PM

Sharky, give me a buzz next time your in town, my place is just around the corner for your condos.

Dan and Misty

Sharksbaja - 4-15-2006 at 01:05 PM

It's pretty hard for someone so programmed to switch schpiels(sp?)

He was in his naural element. Part of a developers job is to convince, convince, convince.
Probably why there are so many skeptics.

I am still confused as to Mr. Grogans reference to Fonaturs responsibility regarding infrastructure.

Don Alley - 4-15-2006 at 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
...I am still confused as to Mr. Grogans reference to Fonaturs responsibility regarding infrastructure.

And confusion is not a good thing.

The future need for water and electricity will not be Loreto Bay's alone, but will be a shared need of Loreto and other developments.

It may be implied, but NOT STATED, that the Loreto Bay Corporation will finance the construction of projected power generation facilities, transmission lines and desal plants.

But those are aren't immediate needs. Sewage treatment is. And is Loreto Bay building it? No. Apparently Fonatur (government) is.

When it's time for a desal plant, who will pay for construction? Who will use the water, and what rates will the users have to pay? Whatever the answer, giving Loreto Bay rights to the water Loreto currently uses give them a pretty good bargaining chip.

Can you imagine what would happen if the US Government turned a city water supply over to foreign developers?

Sharksbaja - 4-15-2006 at 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
...I am still confused as to Mr. Grogans reference to Fonaturs responsibility regarding infrastructure.

Oh, like turning over the Ports to some Arabs? :lol:

capn.sharky - 4-15-2006 at 08:32 PM

Or the Port of Los Angeles to the Chinese :fire:

Phil S - 4-16-2006 at 07:24 AM

Sharky. Thanks for the response. I'm acquainted with both of the "prior" two managers and have spent some time with both. Peter the 1st, & Eric II. Now Loreto Bay owns w/Citibank and haven't met the new manager. Nothings come up in conversation around me, so I just thought it was maybe a tongue in cheek comment. Doesn't sound very good to me. Sorry about dropping you into the Cafe Ole "group" Won't happen again. Guess you know what I mean about that then. L.B. is asking for a meeting with Nopolo residents soon. So might have some answers regarding water, sewer, infrastructure, etc. Lots of personnel changes going on down here right now. Maybe will know something within next couple weeks.