Oct
23
Community presents petition asking for more info and meeting on Marina
Posted by Editor | October 23, 2007 | Categories: Community News, Government and Politics | 9 Comments
Members of the Puerto Viejo community presented a letter to the mayor of Talamanca, Rugeli Morales, and the president of the municipal council, George Brown Hudson, asking for more information on the marina being proposed for Puerto Viejo (see Talamanca News for Sept 25th). The letter was signed by more than 150 people, including local hotel, restaurant and business owners, teachers, fishermen, workers, a doctor, surfers, residents and tourists.
The letter expresses surprise that the community first learned of the council’s approval of the marina project in a La Nacion article–there was no public consultation.
The letter writers are particularly concerned that the marina project will adversly affect the sensitive environment of the area, a concern also expressed by many of the readers of The Talamanca News who commented on the original article.
Among the specific concerns expressed by the letter is how the project will affect the areas already overtaxed water supply which has ran dry several times in the last year. They also ask what will happen to all the additional waste generated by the huge project — both garbage and sewage. They question whether a project of this sort is in line with the area’s reputation as an ecotourism destination.
The letter writers have asked for a community meeting on these issues. If and when one is announced, we will let our readers know here.
You can read the letter presented here.
Comments
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[...] Community presents petition asking for more info and meeting on Marina [...]
I live in a quaint little Town of 6500 people on the Great Lakes in Canada . Much like Puerto Viejo Talamanca fortunately there is no heavy industry to pollute the air and fresh water lakes and aquifers in the area. Our Federal and Provincial Governments have legislated the shoreline a Green Area.
The Towns tax base and many of the residents (permanent and seasonal)livelyhoods are supported by tourism .For years any developement was stalled by those who didn’t want change . Guess what , the world was passing us by . Common sense finally prevailed and our Mayor and Council with support from the majority of the residents and business owners the doors opened to new developement like this proposed marina . Tourists , vacationers , visitors call them what you want are already coming to Puerto Viejo by land and air to spend their tourist dollars which support the local people and businesses . With all that water out there , might be a boat , maybe a couple of boats , maybe a whole lot of boats and there are people on them who would be glad to open their coffers for a meal ,a drink ,a souvenier , a night on dry land .
There will certainly be costs to improve the management of water and sewage systems and garbage processing . This is were your Municipal , Provincial and Federal Governments need to work along side the private investors with a proactive approach for upgrades of these services . You have to spend a bit to make a bit and the returns for Puerto Viejo will be 2 fold in a very short period of time . There are still a few who have nothing good to say about progress , would still like to live in a quaint one horse Town and live off the land . In todays world this is a beautiful dream but far from reality . I have vacationed in Costa Rica Puerto Viejo area 2 to 3 weeks every year for the last 16 years and have seen the change that has been fast paced on the people of this area . Every year there are enteprenuers opening new businesses providing more sevices for the people who reside in and visit this area . This tells me the World already knows about Puerto Viejo – like it or not . My advice is to support this developement and encourage more of the same . Move forward with progressive and proactive direction and enjoy the spoils . Not to be rude but most of the protesters , complainers arrived with and are still living out of there back packs , packed originally in another country . Accept the change , if somehow this has gone unnoticed , sorry it has already happened , you are on the map.
[...] in October we wrote (Talamanca News, Oct 23, Community presents petition asking for more info and meeting on Marina) that various community residents and community groups had presented a letter to the municipality [...]
I live in Boulder, Colorado and LOVE Puerto Viejo. I have spent 3 or 4 months there and believe it is the most idealistic town in Costa Rica. My town (Boulder) unlike the Canadian Yahoo above took the initiative to protect (and didn’t give up) our surrounding’s in the 60’s. We still protect this land and it still works. THE WORLD DID NOT PASS US BY! Greed and destruction were the only thing to pass us by. I have traveled all of Central America and I assure you turning Paradise into Jaco/Cancun/Roatan will not solve the economic problems so common in the Limon province. Tourism and wildlife are the primary reason “normal” people go to Costa Rica. My time working on yachts in Florida has exposed me to many people who would rather experience fine silver and Air conditioning than fresh air and community cooking (the best Ive ever had; Thanks for the jerk chicken BoyBoy!). I beleive the developer said it best,”our guest won’t have to go to town for supplies”. This project stinks of corporate, fascist, capitalistic greed and will only prove destructive!
There is a lot of angry talk about “destruction, corporate, fascist, capitalistic greed” from opponents of the marina but they all fail to bring any constructive suggestions on how to build a viable future for the local youth when they finish their studies and start looking for a way to support their families. There is a certain sense that some opponents feel they are holier then thou and that “they” (that would be boat owners) should be excluded from this private paradise reserved for the few enointed. Such arrogance. The secret is out – progress is inevitable. Lead, follow or get out of the way.
Well said Dani. The children of today are our leaders tomorrow.
Casey (Gringo), Boulder Colorado, been there “Movie Stars, Cement Ponds”- the wealthy. Be realistic and look back to the 60’s, Boulder attracted the rich and famous. I’m pretty sure Boulder once was also a 1 horse Town. It sure isn’t today. No’ THE WORLD DIDN”T PASS YOU BY didn’t pass Boulder by, apparently though “YOU” MISSED THE “BOAT”.
Brian! WTF?????
Donovan!WTF? Ask me something we can discuss. I’m not opinionated, just want to see the area move forward properly which it will soon. Boulder has proper services, schools and opportunity for the families that reside there. The families in Puerto Viejo and area deserve the same. They are proud people. No different than us that can afford to visit or maybe sometimes live there for longer periods of time. As I stated above basically move forward with all agencies involved and do it right.
Merry Christmas to all the fellow readers and Talamanca News!!!!!!!!!