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August 24, 2003
Dear Editor,
I read this week’s Tribune
"Letters to the Editors" and want to respond
to your many readers who think there is no relief from
the "Gringo Tax", my term for price gouging
tourists. In response to this, I have written a book,
"Locals Guide to Puerto Vallarta" which will
be available Nov. 1, 2003. This 186-page guide literally
includes everything you need to know to live here in
relative peace. It also includes a large section on
preferred suppliers, from art galleries to plumbers,
to just about any service you might need.
The catch is that a business cannot
pay to be included in my book. One would need to provide
consistent quality service or products at a reasonable
price (in other words ...not screw locals and tourists).
Quite literally, if you are not in my book, you don't
meet my criteria or I don't know about you.
Please share with your readers that
relief is indeed on the way. I have lived here 8 years
and thru much trial and error, have created a valuable
list of folks who appreciate our business.
The books will be available thru
all businesses mentioned in the book. Look for it early
November. A new edition will be produced each year and
I have a special email for suggestions on new additions
from readers
Thanks,
Cherie Sibley
Dear Editor,
Could you tell me if the Sheraton
Bouganville is open yet? If it is not yet open, do you
know when it will be?
Thanks
Larry A.
Dear Larry,
The Sheraton Buganvilias has not reopened for business
yet, but it is believed that it will in time for the
Christmas holidays.
The Ed.
Dear Editor,
Re: Gringo vs. Locals
In response to Mr. Abrahamson’s
letter regarding the "whining" of the visitor
population in PV, I do believe that those who have chosen
to live there from other areas of North America are
more accustomed to a more structured society of laws
and services etc...This outlet called the Vallarta Tribune
gives this otherwise unheard group a sounding board.
I do have a few Mexican friends who
all wholeheartedly agree that Mexico is not as well
organized as the rest of North America. I also understand
that those as visitors are not allowed to voice their
opinions as they are foreigners and it would jeopardize
their visa. My Mexican friends all take it with a grain
of salt and humor.
We all choose to live in certain
areas because of the beauty of the land and the people.
I don't believe these visitors would live here if they
did not believe that. We all need to vent somewhere.
Thanks for listening.
Sincerely,
David H.
Dear Editor,
How refreshingly wonderful to see
Craig Abrahamson's letter in the Aug. 18th Tribune.
I too want to yell from the rooftops "STOP WHINING!"
Some Americans (don't forget the rest of we foreigners
are "gringo-like" but not gringo) see any
and all behaviour they don't like as being anti gringo.
The anti gringo brigade seem to generalize but are short
on specifics. In 7 years of living here I've not felt
the recipient of anti gringo sentiment. But then I try
to treat people with respect and dignity they deserve.
Like everyone, I don't always succeed but I don't approach
people with the attitude that they are out to screw
me.
I have seen gringos and Mexicans
treated with respect and courtesy when they should have
received a good swift kick in the butt. I have seen
gringos and Mexicans treated with a total “the
customer is never right and who needs you darkening
the door of our business anyway” attitude when
the people doing the "treating" should have
been the recipient of the good swift kick. In other
words, like everywhere in the world, there is good and
bad in everyone.
Anna's column in last week's issue
said it all. All extranjeros need to go "back home"
for a reality check now and then. Yes there are good
and bad things there. Yes there are good and bad things
here.
I can't help but think that the whiners
would be unhappy and complaining wherever they lived.
After all you take yourself with you wherever you go.
Maybe the feeling of being discriminated against is
a reflection of your own behaviour.
Vallarta is not perfect but then
perfection would be so boring. We can direct our energies
into improving life in our little corner of the world
or bitch.
M. E
Good Morning;
I live in Puerto Vallarta and because
no one could notarize an important document at the U.S.
Consular Agency [Kelly Trainor was on vacation, for
2-1/2 or maybe 3 weeks].
I had to take a bus to GDL, spend
a night in a hotel, and of course eat in a restaurant,
this was a substantial expense on my fixed budget.
Do you not think it fair to at least
warn people possible by email that only ONE person in
the U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta can notarize
documents and when she is on vacation nothing
can be done?
Seems a simple process to have a
back-up person available. My trip to GDL cost me in
excess of $500.00 us dollars.
Thanks for your consideration
Paul U.
Dear Paul,
Did you consider going to one of the local notaries
before undertaking your trip to Guadalajara? Any one
of them would have gladly done it for you, and they
would only have charged between $25. and $250. PESOS,
depending on the document.
The Ed.
Dear Editor,
As you know, a new and ambitious
plan for the development of Puerto Vallarta covering
the period 2003 - 2025 is up for public discussion this
month.
Your readers may be interested in
the following letter (translated into English) which
has been submitted to the Presidente Municipal on behalf
of the residents of Conchas Chinas.
What is decided now will affect the
city for many years to come. This the moment to have
our views taken into account.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Gray
President Concas Chinas Homeowners' Association
TO: Lic. Ignacio Guzman, Presidente
Municipal
Cc: Director de Planiacion, Director de Obras Publicas
Re: New zonification plans
This letter provides the CCHA point
of view with respect to the further use of land for
residential purposes, adjacent to existing properties
in the Colonia of Conchas Chinas.
We are opposed to any further construction
above the level represented by the six houses currently
being constructed at Castillos Vallarta. (Manzana 11)
Our reasons are:
More construction at higher levels would seriously damage
the character of the Colonia. Conchas Chinas is one
of the city’s tourist attractions, as evidenced
by the daily tours enjoyed by hundreds of visitors to
the city. The character of Conchas Chinas should therefore
be protected in the overall interests of the city as
well as the residents who live there. The plans for
the development of Puerto Vallarta currently under discussion
include a strategy for maintaining green areas and respect
for the ecology of the region We submit that the green
areas above Conchas Chinas are necessary to implement
this aim.
The original plans laid down by the
Fideicomiso for Conchas Chinas respected the need to
leave the higher elevations as Areas Verdes. The infrastructure
of streets, drainage, power supplies was not designed
to service a larger Colonia than that which currently
exists. Power and water supplies are already limited
in the area of Paseo de las Corales. Furthermore, construction
at higher levels is already causing major damage to
existing streets and properties due to the destruction
of arroyos and vegetation which controlled and lessened
the impact of water run-off during the rainy season.
The cost and inconvenience caused by land-slides and
uncontrolled water drainage is already excessive, both
for the Colonia and individual residents.
Increased traffic, including heavy
construction vehicles, is also a major problem. The
Colonia cannot continue indefinitely to pay for street
repairs caused by vehicles for which the streets were
never designed. The Colonia is suffering an increased
number of broken water pipes in the streets for the
same reason.
We therefore respectfully urge that
the city not plan for or permit additional construction
above existing levels.
We also appeal to the city authorities
to require developers to the north and south of Conchas
Chinas to provide access roads directly from the highway
to Barre de Navidad..The use of Conchas Chinas streets
as access roads to Amapas to the north and the tract
of land extending to the Camino Real to the south is
equally damaging to our Colonia. Our convenio with the
city, in which the Colonia accepted responsibility to
maintain the streets, specifically defined. the boundaries
of Conchas Chinas for which we would be responsible.
We did not accept the use of Colonia streets as access
roads to major developments outside the limits of the
Colonia.
Our agreement with the city includes the following clause:
“ Clause #5. The Association and the Ayuntamiento
will continue to protect the green areas that exist
within the geographical limits of Conchas Chinas.”
We submit that this undertaking should equally apply
to the remainder of the hillside immediately above the
existing residential area.
We hope you will give your kind attention
to the interests of a Colonia that is a key attraction
for visitors. A Colonia that represents a major source
of taxes, employment and income for every business in
the city: And a Colonia that has for years voluntarily
collaborated in providing many essential services without
any expense to the city.
Atentamente
Peter Gray
Presidente CCHA
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