Guadalajara meeting raises hopes Tenacatita to be open by Christmas

GUADALJARA, Jalisco, Mexico - A group of 75 people from Rebalsito, as well as 100 or so other interested parties - took part in the meeting held last week over the closure of Tenacatita Beach.

Residents being evicted in August

(See Pressure on to open Tenacatita, Nov. 23).

The entire area was seized Aug. 4 by state police working for developer Jose Villalobos, who claims ownership and is planning to build a resort. He has already torn down nearly all of the structures on the beach and is reported to be living one of the hillside houses overlooking Tenacatita Bay.

Between 700 to 800 people were evicted in the incident. Properties belong to Mexicans - and many non-Mexicans - were seized in the armed takeover.

After that recent meeting, the website Tenacatita on the Costa Alegre posted a report by Dobie (from Rebalsito) that the government of La Huerta will soon be granted the concession to the Tenacatita Beach. Currently there is no public access. Anyone attempting enter is challenged by the armed security forces of Villalobos and usually turned back. A few gringos have been allowed in, but only after being searched - and having their cameras and identification held by the guards at the double gate on the state highway.

The diputados involved in the Guadalajara meeting assured the crowd that the beach will be reopened so that the former restaurant owners and merchants can make some money during the busy holidays serving tourists.

Here is the last paragraph of Dobie's posting:

Tenacatita house, reportedly occupied by Jose Villalobos 

 

"There were two very welcome pieces of news. One is that the government of La Huerta is going to get the concession to the beach (and the ocean beach), and soon. The other is that the diputados assured us that the beach will be open in time for Christmas vacation so that people can come and camp and enjoy the beach, and everyone here can get back to work, however they can - setting up tarps, umbrellas, whatever... You can imagine how happy everyone was to hear that news! It's changed the whole vibe of the town. Everyone feels more hopeful." - Dobie

Here is a link to her entire post: LINK: Dobie's report on the Guadalajara meeting

Legal actions continue in fight against Tenacatita Beach takeover

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - While the Rodenas bulldozers continue to tear down structures (the latest victim reportedly the small white house on the Pacific Ocean, very close to the rocks) evicted Mexican residents of the Tenacatita beach area are still working with attorneys to get their land back.

Police evicting residents in August, 2010

     Among the discussions ongoing are conversations about whether to proceed with legal action in the state of Jalisco's courts, or go directly to the federal government to seek legal relief and regain the land.
     The gringos who bought property along the oceanside of Tenacatita - whose property was also seized by Rodenas and state police August 4 - are awaiting action on their court claims, too.
   The state highway into the Tenacatita Beach area remains closed, gated and guarded, despite repeated efforts by various government officials and private parties to get it reopened.

Bulldozer at work

   

A march and demonstration to get the road opened ended with the protesters - and members of the news media - getting sprayed with chemicals by state police guarding the property claimed by Jose Villalobos and the Rodenas company.
LINK to demonstration story: Police repel Tenacatita demonstrators

And here is a link to story written by someone who attempted to reach the beach about a week ago: LINK Need a tank to get to Tenacatita

Mexican government advises traveling in convoys - and in the daylight

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - Today's Los Angeles Times carried a story about warning issued by the Mexican government, telling Mexicans returning from the U.S. - and any one traveling in Mexico - to be extra cautious on the highways and travel in convoys.

Mexican Marines search a vehicle in the city of Puebla

Convoys? Yes, convoys.

The story said the government is offering armed escorts for such groups, including the military. In cases where people say they don't want an escort, the government says it can monitor travelers to ensure they get to their destinations safely.

Today's Los Angeles Times story comes just days after the U.S. Consultate General issued a stern warning about driving through Tepic, north of Puerto Vallarta. LINK: Trouble in Tepic

The photo on the right ran in today's LA Times. Here is a link to the story: Convoy, daylight travel in Mexico urged

Pressure on to open Tenacatita beach road before December

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco, Mexico - The La Manzanilla message board posted the report below from Informador.Com.Mx that a meeting was just held of top level Mexican officials, pushing for a reopening of the Tenacatita Beach road, closed since August. 4.

Tenacatita Beach last spring, before seizure

Since the closure, police and/or security forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos of the Rodenas Corp. have barred entry to the public and have had several confrontations with local residents who were evicted from their homes and businesses.

A video of one recent confrontation is here: LINK: Protestors tear down fence, get sprayed with chemicals

The evictees - along with a number of non-Mexican citizens who own property along the ocean beach there - have filed lawsuits in federal court in Guadalajara to regain their lands.

If the road suddenly is opened, it is unclear what people would find when they arrived. According to published reports, virtually all the restaurants - and other facilities like restrooms - have been leveled. Several palapas, with concrete floors have been erected, the same reports say.


Below is a Google translation of what was published.

Here is the direct link to the Informador posting: LINK Informador story (in Spanish)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM INFORMADOR.COM.MX:
GUADALAJARA, JALISCO (23/NOV/2010) .- Federal Deputies PRI, PAN and the PT, as well as representatives of national and state commissions and Human Rights Department of the Interior (Interior Ministry) met yesterday at the Plaza de Armas to give their views on the conflict over land on the beach at Tenacatita. Rep. David Hernandez lamented the absence of representatives of the Executive.
In sum, the deputies asked the head of the Executive, Emilio González Márquez, order the release of the beach and the road before the holidays start decembrinas, with the aim of reviving tourism in the area.
"We intend to make an agreement to open the beach and the road for people to take advantage of this period and thus reactivate the economy a bit."
U.S. Rep. Salvador Caro noted that from August 4 (when the conflict) estimated economic losses to traders for 50 million pesos. For the deputy, the State Government's attitude is a clarion call for "peaceful civil resistance. Jalisco is a state with a serious problem of governance, there are other disputes over territories that the state has failed to solve. The currency of the Government are deaf, we do not hear, not see us .... "
Another absentee was the representative of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), who sent an official letter in which he explains that he was unable to attend the event by scheduling problems, but reiterated its position that the beach must be free. Other guests that attended were representatives of the company Rodenas, who won a land dispute in the area.
He drew attention to the position of Deputy National Action Party, Luis Meillón Johnston, who admitted that he has talked about it with the governor. "I take the colors of my party, I do not intend to quarrel with the Government or the Director of State Public Security. If this does not solve is politicized. "
"The road may be closed"
The representative of the Human Rights Commission, Alfonso Hernández Barrón, announced the progress of the investigation into the confrontation between police and demonstrators supporting the area. CEDHJ said that immediately calls to withdraw the security forces who blocked the road and the beach at Tenacatita.
"The road may be closed because it was done with public funds. This path must be open, affects a number of fundamental and human rights. "
He recalled that injunctions have been issued for the authorities to avoid trouble among the people. Also felt that they should give psychological support "because there is anguish, despair and suffering, which can cause irreversible damage."
He added that this is one of the most serious issues facing the Government of Jalisco, along with the dissatisfaction of residents to build the dam in the Zapotillo Temacauplín.

No shortage of Thanksgiving dinners in La Manzanilla

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - A few years ago, getting a reasonable approximation of a traditional American Thanksgiving turkey dinner was a real challenge in La Manzanilla.

Not anymore, apparently.

At least three restaurants in La Manzanilla, including Palapa Joe's and Lora Loka's will be having the real deal.

Also, the La Manzanilla message board lists Kenny's as having a Thanksgiving Day dinner, too.

Everyone suggests that people get reservations, however - a very un-Mexican notion, but required in this case.

For more details, check the La Manzanilla Message board: Turkey dinner ahead!

In 2008, this blog was posted about having a nice Thanksgiving dinner in La Manzanilla: Dinner at Lora Loka's

Arroyo Seco RV park open; Revolution Day parade in La Manzanilla

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - The RV park in Arroyo Seco - Isidro's Las Brisas - is officially open and like all good businesses, has a website with photos and contact information.

Link to Las Brisas: Las Brisas RV park in Arroyo Seco

Here's the text from the website:

Isidro's Las Brisas RV Park is on the large beach (Playa Grande) in Arroyo Seco, Jalisco Mexico.  This park is only about 10 miles from Tenacatita Beach which is now closed. This park has sewer hook ups, water and electrical.  Each lot is separately metered and you also pay your own electrical.  There are two toilets and two showers for your use.  There are also two palapas you can sit under or hang your hammock from. The ocean is just across the road.  This site has about 12 acres of palm trees and it is a very peaceful and tranquil site.  Please call 210-399-6997 (US number) or 315-355-5224 (Mexico number) if you have any questions or want to make reservations.


 The area is likely of special interest this season, with Tenacatita's beach and campgrounds blocked off by the police protecting Jose Villalobos. At the same time, a new restaurant has opened on the beach, operated by Luis, who has run the Las Brisas restaurant for a number of years.

The new restaurant is open most days and the menu is similar to last year's: lots of seafood, all of it good.

Visit La Manzanilla posts Revolution Day Parade video

In La Manzanilla today, the parade to celebrate Revolution Day wasn't too revolutionary. La Manzanilla's Lois Lane called it 'the parade that wasn't' because it started earlier than expected.

Earlier? In Mexico. What the #%@&*$^%??????....

But there is video proof that the parade did take place - a video taken for Visit La Manzanilla (LINK: Visit La Manazanilla) that shows smiling children walking down the streets.

Here it is the video from YouTube:

Driving through Tepic? Consulate warns to be extra careful

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - Today's message board in La Manzanilla had a posting of a notice from the U.S Consulate General in Guadalajara, warning U.S. citizens to be extra vigilant when traveling in certain areas of western Mexico.

Here is a link to the full posting: Warning on message board

Site of shooting in October

The part of the warning that seemed the most relevant was for the city of Tepic, the site of a drug-related shooting in late October at a car wash.

The warning says to "avoid all unnecessary travel to the city of Tepic, Nayarit. Exercise extreme caution on the non-toll portion of the Route 15 bypass around Tepic."

Tepic is north of Puerto Vallarta. Here is a link to a story about what happened Oct. 27: Tepic shooting

 Given that this is the month when many people are heading south along the highway from the U.S. border to La Manzanilla - passing right through Tepic or around it on the highway bypass - the warning couldn't be much more timely.

National Public Radio had a story earlier this week about how the guns being used by the drug cartels are believed to be coming into Mexico from the U.S.: NPR story on guns in Mexico

News video of people tearing down gate to Tenacatita Beach

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - In doing some YouTube research, this video (and many others) popped up of the recent incident in which a group of people tore down a part of the fence blocking the highway to the beaches at Tenacatita.

The video shows how explosive the situation is - even the television camera operator got doused with some kind of spray by the police guarding the property being held by Jose Villalobos, property he seized with the police August 4, evicting the residents.

The spray obviously hurt people's eyes - a lot. The TV reporter remarks on it in detail.

Recent reports from gringos who have been allowed into the area (without cameras) are that Villalobos has bulldozed all of the restaurants but is building some new palapas with concrete floors.

The video commentary of the confrontation is in Spanish, but the pictures tell the story:

Arroyo Seco may take seasonal campers with Tenacatita closed off

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - For several years, the Cuevas family of Arroyo Seco has been building an RV park on the beach at Arroyo Seco, never quite getting it finished, though the spaces are laid out and there is a nice picnic area overlooking the lagoon to the east.

It's still unfinished, as of this writing, but already some campers who normally would go to the Tenacatita beach area - now in total lockdown thanks to Jose Villalobos and his company - are looking for another space near the water for the winter and spring.

Jim Monaco (of Monaco Realty in Arroyo Seco and Melaque) has made some arrangements for some campers on the Arroyo Seco beach already on some other properties with ocean access.

Anyone interested in trying to find space along that stretch of beach should contact him at his Melaque office. The telephone number there is 315-355-5224.


Playa Grande in Arroyo Seco: Campers welcome, but facilities in short supply

Looking for photos and links about the land-grab at Tenacatita

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The research has been slow on getting all the news of what has happened at Tenacatita since the August 4 armed takeover of the area.

But there has been a great deal of effort on the part of many good people to help the people who were evicted.

And a lot of effort to show that there is no access to the beach - at least not access most reasonable people would consider, well, reasonable access.

Of course, if you consider going through the portal below reasonable, that might be different.

New look for the 'Tenacatita Bay Bugle' this season

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - After several seasons of playing around with this website, it seemed that this year might be the year to make it more useful to the community. The page has been redesigned and in the next few weeks some links will be added making cruising the area electronically a little easier.

It might have been reading about the sewers overflowing in La Manzanilla, (or maybe the crocodiles wandering the streets after dark), but certainly all of the largely terrible news out of Tenacatita and Rebalsito suggests another central repository of information, updated frequently, might be useful.

How frequently will depend on a lot of factors.

The message board in La Manzanilla run by Daniel is hands-down the best resource in the area for keeping up daily on the news. Tomzap also has some good information, though it is complicated sometimes to find the latest stuff.

Perhaps this site can add to those efforts.

And who knows, maybe the ghost of Charles Foster Kane will rise out of the sand on the beach near where the Fiesta Mexicana restaurant was to point a finger at the Rodenas company and say 'shame on you.'

This quote from the film, Citizen Kane, seems apropos at this moment:

"It's also my pleasure to see to it that decent, hard-working people in this community aren't robbed blind by a pack of money-mad pirates, just because they haven't had anybody to look after their interests..."

Here's a link to an interesting clip from Citizen Kane:
How to Run a Newspaper 

Hard to believe, but all those restaurants are gone - and so is access to the beach