Jul

27

Demolition begun on Hotel Las Palmas

July 27, 2011 | Tags: Environment, Government and Politics | 4 Comments


Officials begin demolition work on the Las Palmas Hotel this morning. Photo courtesy La Nación

Government officials this morning have begun carrying out a demolition order on Hotel Las Palmas in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.

However, a judge has ordered a stay on the demolition at nearby Hotel Suerre pending a further appeal.  Both hotels are located near Punta Uva.

The legal fight here goes back almost 20 years.

In the late 80′s, the Czech-born businessman Jan Kalina proposed a hotel in the area within the refuge Gandoca-Manzanillo. On June 17, 1990 he received a land use permit with the commitment to carry out the project in strict compliance with the environmental regulations for construction in the reserve and he proceeded to build the Hotel Las Palmas.

However, in 1992, apparent irregularities and environmental damage were detected. These included the construction of an artificial lagoon, the construction and expansion of drainage, the obstruction of natural water ways, tractor work, mercury lighting on the palm trees and use of coral to fill a swamp and unauthorized removal of trees.

On March 5, 1993, a court ruling gave the green light to a resolution issued by the then Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines to revoke the original land use permit. This order required the eviction and demolition of everything that was built.

After that, Kalina appealed seeking to overturn the measure. In 2004 the appeal was rejected by the Sala Primera court which again ordered the resort demolished.

It was not until September 28, 2005 when the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Mina) took possession of the hotel, evicted the guests, then the employees and ultimately the owner and his wife. Two days later Sala IV court stayed the eviction and demolition order pending another appeal.

On October 8, 2009 an Administrative Court judge ruled again for the eviction and demolition of the hotel.

The work was finally begun today despite the opposition of some neighbors and protests over the last two days. Those protesters fear that the demolition of the hotel will lead to eviction and demolition of other properties which may also be in violation of the environmental regulations in the reserve or their land use permits.

When the officials entered the hotel, there were 14 tourists staying there who have been relocated elsewhere in the area.

Meanwhile, 28 employees were assisted by the Joint Social Welfare Institute (IMAS) to determine if they qualify for financial assistance.

Luis Diego Román, coordinator of the eviction operation, said the demolition of the buildings would start today and there is no deadline to finish it.

“Here they drained a wetland, cut down trees and modified the beachfront. And there is not even any wastewater treatment. The environmental damage was caused 20 years ago when the hotels were built. The owners have not paid the state for five years and now we will try to return to its natural state,” said Roman.

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Jul

26

Protesters block roads and riot police respond over plans for refuge

July 26, 2011 | Tags: Community News, Government and Politics | 5 Comments


Burning tires at roadblock last night

Police and protesters today, photo courtesy of Periódico El Limonsense

There have been several road blocks reported that started last night by protesters who are apparently angry over the government’s plans to restrict development and demolish several existing hotels and homes within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge that do not conform to the plan.

There have been reports of felled trees and rocks blocking the road at several locations. At the worst location, the bridge at Hone Creek heading towards Cahuita, there were also burning tires and black smoke could be seen from miles away.

Some of the roadblocks have now been cleared but others are apparently still up and riot police were called in to clear the protest.

Formalizing of the plans for the refuge is a long simmering issue within the community and the hotels Las Palmas and Suerres have been threatened with demolition.

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Jul

11

Volunteer and Donation Driven Effort Begun to Renovate Police Station

July 11, 2011 | Tags: Community News | 2 Comments


Volunteers at the first day of the volunteer effort to renovate the police station. The used bottles are being used to create a grey water drainage field.

Local individuals and businesses have begun a volunteer led effort to renovate the Puerto Viejo Police station with the aim of making the station a better and more efficient place to work.

The effort is being taken as one of the many efforts to improve security in the area.

The project is aiming to do it’s work primarily through donated labor and materials.

\Here is the list of materials that are needed to get started on the renovation of the police station. So now is the time to go look in your bodega and see if you have anything to contribute. Even if you have things that are not on the list and think they can be of use, let us know. We are also looking for any skilled carpenters, welders, plumbers and electricians, as well as general laborers, that are willing to donate their time. Please give Rami Zein a call, 8985-6652, to let us know what you can contribute.

Wood – Laurel
7 pieces 2” x 4” x 4 barras
2 pieces 2” x 10” x 2 barras
200 barras of ½” x 2” (for lattice work)
20 barras of 2” x 3”

Metal
24 sheets corrugated metal (3.66 m) #28
15 square steel structural tubes, galvanized 2 x 3 x 1/16
5 square steel structural tubes, galvanized 3 x 3 x 1/16
3 zinc roofing covers (1.83 m) #28
2 welded wire mesh (2.35 x 6m)
5 welding sticks – Hilco 6013-3/32
8 1” round metal tubes (for cell bars)
6 rectangular metal tubes (1.2 x 25.4 x 50.8mm)

Electrical/Plumbing
31 tubes for electrical cables – ½”
18 unions for electrical cable tubes – ½”
25 curved unions for electrical cable tubes – ½”
70 m cable #12
50 m cable TSJ 2×12
15 m cable TSJ 3×12
1 breaker #15
4 breakers #20
12 mountable light sockets 4”
12 double outlets
3 ½” PVC stopcocks
1 pump designed for wells – half horsepower with a 20 liter tank

Fibrolit
10 sheets – 12mm
6 sheets – 9 mm

Paint
2 gallons oil-based paint – dark blue
3 gallons oil-based paint – white
2 quarts paint for metal – red
1 liter turpintine

Nails/Screws/etc.
100 insulated plastic staples with nails for electical cable
50 1” screws for gipsun
200 2” drillbit screws for metal roofing
Concrete
3 bags of Concretemix
10 cement panels (1.1 m)

Additional
2 rolls of electrical tape #33
4 3” paintbrushes
1 14” disc to cut metal
1 9” disc to cut concrete
2 heavyduty padlocks with 2 6” padlock bases
3 pairs of metal hinges B13 industrial
1 4oz container of PVC glue
4 meters of gravel

Table
We need a carpenter who can build a long table for eating – wood provided
8 plastic chairs

Money
Cash donations are welcomed. Although we are hoping to do this project mostly through donated materials and labour, we may still have to buy some items and hire some specialized labour. Every little bit helps. Donations can be made to the CATCAS Banco de Costa Rica account or Puerto Viejo Satellite will process credit card donations and pass them on to the project net of credit card fees, just go to the donate page and choose other project to support.

And a big THANK YOU to community members who have already donated:
Manuel Pinto, Nick Varnum, Janet Jones, Rami Zein, Blanca Widmer, Clint Kapp, Nina Neidhart, Liam Montgomery, Selda Kmc

Jun

19

Second Annual Walter Ferguson Festival in Cahuita

June 19, 2011 | Tags: Community Calendar, Entertainment | Comments Off

July 4, 2011toJuly 10, 2011

The second annual Walter Ferguson Festival will take place in Cahuita from the 4th to the 10th of July.

The festival honors calypso legend and Cahuita native son Walter Ferguson with Live music, painting, theater, dance, calypso, literature, poetry, and many more Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous Cultural Events.

Sponsored by the DInamica Empresarial, Caribe Communication, and the Development Association of Cahuita.
For more information call 8892 2895 or email caribecomunicacion2@gmail.com

Thanks to ATEC for the heads up on this.

Jun

16

Next meeting about water treatment facility set for July 7

June 16, 2011 | Tags: Community Calendar, Environment | 1 Comment

July 7, 2011
3:00 pmto6:00 pm

There is broad community support for getting a proper water treatment facility operating in Puerto Viejo but the community still has many questions about the location, the methods used and how it will affect its neighbors if it is built in the proposed Cocles location.

The next community meeting with AyA and MINAE is the place to bring your questions and get more informed about the project. It is set for July 7 at 3pm at the Cocles School.

You can see more information on the event and sign up for updates on the event’s facebook page. You can also subscribe to the facebook group for more discussion on the project.

Updated: date of meeting moved from June 29 to July 7