La Manzanilla.info Message Board Archives

Tenacatita Update

Posted by Dobie on May 12, 2014, 12:42 pm
187.148.140.214

This is rather long, but Daniel asked me to post it here. dobie

The Good News – Lino, a member of the ejido and owner of the historic Hotel Frances in Guadalajara has won his case for 5 of his lots on the hill to Playa Mora (the snorkeling beach). He was able to fence 3 hectares (7.5 acres). This is a major advance, as the other 4 who won hadn’t been allowed (by the “private” state police) to fence their lots, although they have a judicial order to do so. These lots are outside the 42 hectares of Rodenas’ original claim. As of now, access to Playa Mora is still by walking around the rocks at low tide.


Francisco, the lawyer who’s working to help the restaurant owners recoup some of their losses, is filing a queja (a type of lawsuit) which will cover all of the lots that are outside the 42 hectares, (maybe as many as 100 lots) that Rodenas has taken possession of illegally. Some of you might remember that a couple of years ago another lawyer, Everardo Rojas won a similar queja, but after going through revision, the decision was reversed. Apparently it was denied because it included all of the land that Rodenas took, including the lots within the 42 hectares. That’s a separate case and is still in process.


There was a meeting at Chito’s restaurant last week where people decided to invite Julian, the president (head) of the municipality of La Huerta, to come to El Rebalsito and talk to people about what’s happening with the beach. People are asking for the right to be vendedores ambulantes (walking beach vendors) in the federal zone. Also included in the email invitation was a request that Francisco (the lawyer) be given access to all the files relating to the concession so he can keep us up to date as to what’s happening.


The Not So Good News – The issue of the concession still has not been resolved, and now the decision has been suspended. There was no reason given. So nobody has the concession, neither Rodenas nor La Huerta.



Rebalsito Update –

There were a couple of busy days on the beach and in town during Semana Santa, but that was it. Some of the tour buses that come out to the beach only stay for a short time due to the lack of bathrooms. The municipality has tried to bring in portable toilets, but wasn’t allowed. Crazy.


Thanks to Santa Claus, we have another laptop to give to the top middle school graduate this July. This will be the 5th one.


Many of the jobs in Mexico now require la prepa (high school) whereas before, la secundaria (middle school) was sufficient. Unfortunately la prepa isn’t free – costs about 600 pesos ($50 US) a semester. Certain books have to be bought, or shared. There’s no public transporation to the nearest prepa here in Miguel Hidalgo, and it’s too far to walk, so the students have to chip in for gas and get someone to take them, or try to hitchhike.


I’d love to figure out a way to help some of these kids who are really motivated and doing well in school (prepa requires and entrance exam) to be able to continue their education, especially if they come from families that can’t afford to pay for them. When the restaurants on the beach were open, the kids could work vacations and make some money. But now there aren’t many jobs to be had.


If anyone has any ideas or suggestions as to how to raise some money for this, please let me know. Everyone has been very generous in responding to different needs of the community, but I hate to keep asking for money, even if it’s not for me! Also, if anyone would like to work on this project with me, let me know. Education is so important, not just the book learning part of it, but getting out, being around different people, getting exposed to new ideas, seeing a bigger picture ; it gives someone more options.


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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by shane on May 12, 2014, 2:23 pm, in reply to "Tenacatita Update"
74.192.143.175

Start a fund . Then sign up kids to be on a gardening crew / clean up crew / whatever the needs are crew /whatever the town or elderly people need help with crew . Work a three month period where the participants have to show up for 6 sessions each. Have the fund assist in tuition for those who are really motivated. Run it Saturdays and Sundays . Property owners getting assistance can pay into the fund. Lessons can be taught regarding how the work/gardening/ whatever should be done . The helps too, combine service with learning, and teach organization skills .
This shouldn`t be too difficult to put together .
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by shane on May 12, 2014, 2:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Tenacatita Update"
74.192.143.175

Also start a Mex/English bulletin board where people who need jobs done can sign up .

Imagine 6 kids descending on a household one morning and within 2hrs giving the place a makeover .

Have the people receiving the help.... pay into the tuition fund . Then when its school time the money is there to cover the school costs for the workers .
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by Dobie on May 14, 2014, 12:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Tenacatita Update"
187.148.168.10

Shane, I like your ideas. The problem is that with the loss of the income from the beach, there's very little money in town. It's not like in La Manz where there are lots of foreigners and many who seem to have money or energy (or both) to help kids in the community. Who's going to pay to hire kids?

There's lots of talent here and I started thinking that maybe we could plan a cultural event with the kids performing - singing, dancing, theatre, etc. Invite the neighboring towns and charge some admission.
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by Norma on May 14, 2014, 5:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Tenacatita Update"
64.180.194.163

Where I live, farmers deliver organic food boxes weekly and it is very popular. There is a big market for turkeys for Thanksgiving or Christmas rather than buying them at city big box stores. Perhaps an association with La Catalina in La Manzanilla or a Facebook page? I like the ide
a of a community visit to Rebalsito with food, fun and families.
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by shane on May 15, 2014, 12:43 pm, in reply to "Tenacatita Update"
74.192.143.175

Sorry Dobie , I forgot Tenacatita is not La Manz.

Is there any way raffle tickets could be sold to cover books ? Say a fishing trip with some of the local fisherman might interest people in the surrounding areas . That might spark some interest in La Manz during the next season as well . Raffle tickets can be sold in Barra too .

Fishing excursion and maybe party or fish fry on the beach , drinks included . You could go many different ways with this .
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by Carol Lopez on May 15, 2014, 4:09 pm, in reply to "Tenacatita Update"

Is there a business opportunity that's being overlooked? I keep wishing we had
a second hand goods store in this area - not just for clothing, but for household
goods, tools, gardening equipment, etc. (Or do these things easily get recycled
and passed around in an informal way - probably.)

However, if people brainstormed
and came up with their own ideas of a business to start, they could apply
for a loan from KIVA. Getting a loan and being responsible to pay it
back might be more empowering than relying on donations or fundraisers.

Link: KIVA microfinancing


Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by Jo Anna on May 15, 2014, 4:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Tenacatita Update"

Carol, I love that you've suggested KIVA. From the little I know, it seems a wonderful opportunity, and it's been effective in many parts of the world.
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by Ross on May 16, 2014, 9:51 am, in reply to "Re: Tenacatita Update"
50.92.67.120

One idea we had to earn some cash would be a car wash. We all have dusty cars! They could do it on weekends. We also like Shane's ideas.
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by Ani Mac on May 18, 2014, 11:38 am, in reply to "Tenacatita Update"
75.157.57.153

Dobie-Talk to Julie and Victor of the Catalina Foundation and language school in La Manzanilla re schlorships for high school students.
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Re: Tenacatita Update

Posted by Dobie on May 19, 2014, 3:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Tenacatita Update"
187.148.168.10

More brains = more ideas! Thank you all for some great suggestions - now that we're in summer mode, it's a good time to lay the groundwork for some of these projects. Will keep you posted! Yay for community and for people who care!
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