BajaNomad

Getting involved

Osprey - 9-6-2008 at 07:17 AM

Gnukid will like this.

Our new delegado wanted to meet with the core group of permanent gringo homeowners of this little village. We had the meeting yesterday -- 22 gringos and the delegado and two others on his staff. The meeting went smoothly, lasted 2 hours, had many positive results. I was chosen to represent the gringos with the pueblo as an emmisary. Very timely because of all the new mega projects that will soon be greatly impacting the village and all the attendant social services.

Cardon Man - 9-6-2008 at 07:53 AM

Very interesting Osprey. I'm wondering how the delegado plans to utilize the input of the gringo home owners? Can you elaborate on the positive results of your meeting?

I have met very few local Mexicans and fewer gringos that welcome the mega projects to your town. I'd be curious to hear your take.

I for one lament to see the changes and can't help but wonder what effect a golf course and marina will have on the unique beach and estuary ecosystems that border the project. Not to mention the social changes when hundreds or thousands of workers move in.

As I drive by the large scale dirt moving that is happening just north of town I fail to see any real engineering in action. One good storm and it will be a mess.

Osprey - 9-6-2008 at 08:18 AM

Signs that 3 or more mega projects around here have begun serious construction will be huge earth movers/trucks and other heavy equipment using city streets -- not good for anybody around here but the developers and the city promises to stop it before it gets that far. We needed to let city/county/state governments know just how great will be the competition between people in these small pueblos and the new developments vis a vis medical services, police,water, power,employees, sewer, garbage, etc. etc. I was able to show them how loss of the inshore brackish water lakes could change forever the marine environment along our shores for many, many kilometers. Since no one has been able to rid our shores of the net fishermen who have already single-handedly, day and night removed every fish bigger than your thumb, it may not matter all that much in the long run.

They were receptive of our suggestions and complaints, muy amable, a good start.

vivaloha - 9-6-2008 at 09:17 AM

Osprey-

Its amazing to think that they will be going for 3 mega projects down there
where you are - seems like such a chill area and now, Cabo Jr. is the plan?

What about the water...? Pretty dry down there - where do they plan to get the water?
De-Sal plant or will it come from the sierra?

I'm glad you guys had a good meeting and that's cool that the delegado is a good guy.

Curious about the logistics of such "progress"...I totally hear you about the
stirred up water damaging the environment...

Anyways, good luck...hit me back about the water if you don't mind...

Vivaloha

Cardon Man - 9-6-2008 at 09:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vivaloha
Osprey-

Its amazing to think that they will be going for 3 mega projects down there
where you are - seems like such a chill area and now, Cabo Jr. is the plan?

What about the water...? Pretty dry down there - where do they plan to get the water?
De-Sal plant or will it come from the sierra?

I'm glad you guys had a good meeting and that's cool that the delegado is a good guy.

Curious about the logistics of such "progress"...I totally hear you about the
stirred up water damaging the environment...

Anyways, good luck...hit me back about the water if you don't mind...

Vivaloha


There is ample water available in the arroyo north of La Ribera. A desal plant should not be needed.

The aforementioned arroyo must also be controled and diverted to allow the golf course and marina to be constructed. That area is prone to serious flooding in storms. I have yet to see any attempts to tame this arroyo. Only a lot of dirt being pushed around to give the impression of progress.

The lagoons Osprey mentioned are major nurseries for all sorts of gamefish and baitfish. I'm no biologist but I can't imagine that run off and fertilizers etc from a golf course are going to be healthy for those estuaries. If those lagoons are damged there will be major consequences for the inshore fishery.

The whole thing is tragic. But I guess the world needs yet another golf course. After all...what's the value of a quite undeveloped stretch of paradise?

gnukid - 9-6-2008 at 09:47 AM

I clicked with enthusiasm on the subject: Hurray for something.

Where are you? Anything can help to open communications and friendships.

As horrific as it sounds, as opposed to condemning changes, I try to think about what baja might look like in 20 years and imagine with development what improvements would I like to see? I know this is a sore subject... though it applies anywhere you live. If you are going to look at a coastline of lights as opposed to darkness you might as well fight for beauty, access and intelligent infrastructure planning. Apparently if no one demands infrastructure it never comes up in the process?

Have fun!

As a side note, from my personal experience I have found that its best to go along slowly and kindly while adjusting to the process. Choose your battles very carefully and wisely. If you lower your expectations, you may have use your new found experience subtly, which has far reaching implications. A kind note might have bigger impact than a declaration. Remember your group is a public example to everyone in Baja and Mexico and a bilingual approach becomes a part of the repertoire so that the communications are open to all.

gnukid - 9-6-2008 at 09:54 AM

I think we all know that the golf courses will never work in baja-they never have. its just a bait and switch technique which is why they never plan properly for them... Why is it that in Mexico the dream is always some huge impossible dream, many golf courses and huge developments where as interdependent communities with small farms and stores work best over the long haul? Its almost as though these developments are designed to fail? Well anyway if its going to be la ribera definitely design in storm shutters on all north facing windows and doors! And wind tolerant plants.

Osprey - 9-6-2008 at 10:28 AM

The development right on our beach will hold a big sales kickoff event here in October. A concert for about 700 invitees -- Credence Clearwater Revival. Should be fun to watch the remainderman play guitar while using a walker. Who knows where they will get new buyers -- $600 per sq meter for lots. Young, athletic wind surfers usually don't have an extra 2 or 3 mil for vacation houses where the good winds blow from November to May.

shari - 9-6-2008 at 10:31 AM

Well done amigos for getting involved and kudos to the delegado too...we must all forge new ways of getting along and take part in finding creative solutions instead of complaining after the fact.

A couple years ago we (Juan & I) met with the delegado and police chief to discuss the subject of visitors starting to come to Asuncion and what that meant to the village. We talked about how first impressions were so important and how a friendly police force made a huge positive impression and the importance of protecting the visitors from harassment. Other topics included placing garbage bins around town, better signage and general tips on welcoming new visitors.

This was very productive and visitors will tell you that when they failed to stop at the stop sign in front of the cop shop....well, the police came after them and welcomed them to town, smilingly pointed out the stop sign, and then escorted them to our place to make sure they found it OK!!! great service with that old baja charm.

There are now garbage bins in lots of locations and the town has been cleaned up significantly. It's a win win situation for everyone and makes it real pleasant around here. Our policia are local amigos and I am proud of them and know we can count on them in any "situation".
To improve relations....Juan took the chief and vice chief out fishing today...they will have particularly big smiles for the next few days I'm sure.

David K - 9-6-2008 at 10:32 AM

Well done Shari and Juan!!

gnukid - 9-6-2008 at 10:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari... Other topics included placing garbage bins around town, better signage and general tips on welcoming new visitors...


We have found that adding metal cans (oil drums) painted nicely and chained to the ground with a chain long enough to allow the garbage men to still empty it properly works very well to reduce garbage in the street. Also a heavy cover of wood or metal helps to reduce animals foraging. Its a small effort that goes a long way.

DianaT - 9-6-2008 at 12:02 PM

Yes, the police here in Bahia Asuncion are very friendly. When we went to the commandante with a small problem with a local, he quickly told us that we needed to call him immediately if another problem occured.

We told him we had the cell phone number for the police car, but he said no, and gave us his personal cell phone number and told us to call him any time day or night if we had a problem.

Also, we were really quite surprised and pleased when the new delegado and his wife came to our home to introduce themselves. It was a very good visit. With his little English and our little Spanish, we had a very nice conversation, much of it about changes that are happening with the new road.

We offered our help and support (non-political) of course. They are really nice people. We shared some ideas and look forward to working with him.

John and Diane

[Edited on 9-6-2008 by jdtrotter]

oxxo - 9-6-2008 at 03:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
I think we all know that the golf courses will never work in baja-they never have. its just a bait and switch technique which is why they never plan properly for them...


Gosh, I hope all the successful golf courses in Los Cabos never find this out.

BajaGringo - 9-6-2008 at 04:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Well done amigos for getting involved and kudos to the delegado too...we must all forge new ways of getting along and take part in finding creative solutions instead of complaining after the fact.

A couple years ago we (Juan & I) met with the delegado and police chief to discuss the subject of visitors starting to come to Asuncion and what that meant to the village. We talked about how first impressions were so important and how a friendly police force made a huge positive impression and the importance of protecting the visitors from harassment. Other topics included placing garbage bins around town, better signage and general tips on welcoming new visitors.

This was very productive and visitors will tell you that when they failed to stop at the stop sign in front of the cop shop....well, the police came after them and welcomed them to town, smilingly pointed out the stop sign, and then escorted them to our place to make sure they found it OK!!! great service with that old baja charm.

There are now garbage bins in lots of locations and the town has been cleaned up significantly. It's a win win situation for everyone and makes it real pleasant around here. Our policia are local amigos and I am proud of them and know we can count on them in any "situation".
To improve relations....Juan took the chief and vice chief out fishing today...they will have particularly big smiles for the next few days I'm sure.


Well done Shari/Juan and thanks for sharing that. Many gringos have so many stereotypes about law enforcement in Baja that many never venture to do exactly what you and Juan have done. There are bad apples in the police ranks in Baja but my personal experience in talking face to face with those wearing a badge is that they are largely a very helpful bunch of guys working for little money and willing to put their lives on the line for a country and state that they believe in and love, as you and Juan obviously do as well. Hope to get down there soon and spend some time with you guys!

EngineerMike - 9-11-2008 at 11:35 AM

Wow!! $50/square foot is some pretty tony real estate. I can see that for waterfront (if yer not in a floodplain, he he he!) but not for interior tier lots. But hey, if Credence plays every weekend... :smug: I hope the distortions can be managed OK.

Delegado in Mulege has been doing regular meetings w/us norteņos for a while now, to good results. Not willing to tackle the dishonest Pemex situation, but otherwise willing to manage reasonable requests.

Osprey - 9-11-2008 at 01:11 PM

A group headed by Mariano Mariscal Barroso has built over 200 projects over the last 30 years including Puerto La Salina, a marina near Ensenada. We all sure hope he's planned this well because it will be a first -- the marina entrance to the sea faces north, for 6 months of the year the wind blows from the north -- nothing like La Salina. For you Nortenos: how is Salina doing? Does it have to be dredged? Is it growing about as well as could be expected given the current conditions near the border, in the current Real Estate market?

woody with a view - 9-11-2008 at 01:20 PM

it gets dredged but as to the frequency, i don't know. the marina itself looks very good, tho! once you get over the fact that they installed a friggin' marina....