Tenacatita Bay land-ownership court fight grinds on and on

  TENACATITA BEACH, Jalisco, Mexico - The long-running legal saga over control of the Tenacatita Bay beach and property seized in August 2010 by wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos continues.
     And despite occasional (erroneous) reports that things have returned to a version of normal, the New Year's report from Dobie Dolphin (printed below) suggests that things are, in fact, virtually the same as they have been since an army of armed goons working for Villalobos seized the land, forcibly evicted residents and then bulldozed most of the buildings.
     The land that was stolen from Mexicans and non-Mexicans is still controlled by Villalobos-owned  Rodenas Corporation. And even where landowners have won in court, they still are being blocked from taking possession of their property.
     Some beach access is now allowed. But even that access can be iffy.
     Here is a report from Dobie (who lives nearby), plus two recent photos...

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New Year's Day 2016 Tenacatita

Hi to all,

     As we start the new year, the various Tenacatita lawsuits still haven’t been resolved. Although several people have won their lots back, they still haven’t been able to take possession of them. The state prosecutor gave an order to the guards on the beach to allow the rightful owners to fence their lots and use their land. A couple of weeks ago, several land owners went, along with a lawyer, engineer with GPS measuring equipment to mark the boundaries, fence posts, barbed wire, workers to set the posts and fence their properties, and about 10 pounds of papers relating to their case.

     When we got there (I try to go along when possible), the guys started digging holes for the fence posts and within 15 minutes, the private security guards came up (we were at the top of a hill with a fantastic view of the ocean and the bay) and said they had an order and people had to stop working and leave. Since the lawyer had the paper signed by the state prosecutor he said they could legally be there, and the guards left.

     But a few minutes later, the state police came and said the same thing. When the lawyer asked who told them that the owners had to leave, they said it was the state prosecutor – the same one who signed the order telling the police not to stop the owners from taking possession of their property.

A few people had their cell phones out and were recording the conversation. The state police got aggressive, grabbed the cell phones and erased what had been recorded. The lawyer was able to get the cell phones back and he noticed that one was still recording, so he asked the policeman his name, who told him that the land owners would have to leave, etc. So in the end, everything was videoed and recorded and we all left without incident.

     The lawyer then filed several more lawsuits, against the private security police, the state police, the state prosecutor and the father of the governor of the state of Jalisco who’s a judge. The governor keeps saying he supports the people who won their land back, but it's only in words, not deeds.

So in a sense, nothing has really changed. 

     People continue to enjoy the beach and many came and camped over the holidays. Although no one can sell anything on the beach, the police didn’t stop locals from renting umbrellas, tables and chairs to the beach goers. Restaurants were able to leave menus, and people could call on their cell phones and have food delivered to the beach. At least it brought some income to the locals.

     Every year we hope that this will be the year the conflict is resolved. Hard to believe it’s gone on this long. 

     There has been more media coverage - to read newspaper articles and watch 2 short videos (all in Spanish), you can go to: www.tenacatita-libre.blogspot.com

Wishing everyone a healthy, peaceful year,

Dobie

Tenacatita Beach and the loss of a Mexican community

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The very dateline on this story raises a question. Is there even a village called Tenacatita anymore?

The nearby village of Rebalsito survived the armed onslaught that swallowed Tenacatita Beach nearly three years ago. But what of the actual community, named for the bay and residing on the tiny slip of land now occupied by armed invaders hired by the Rodenas Corporation?

Welcome to the Tenacatita Beach "access"

Rereading posts of the Tenacatita Bay Bugle in the months leading up to the seizure by the forces paid by Jose Villalobos of Guadalajara, you can see there is optimism for a Tenacatita that would have most likely continued on its prosperous course.

The restaurants and commercial activity had never been as evident or growing as fast. There was lots of new paint, new buildings, small markets, new plantings of trees and lots and lots of tourists.

And then poof, thanks to greed, power and a lot of guns, Tenacatita (the village, the community) disappeared almost overnight.

There is continued talk that the Mexican judicial system will eventually oust Villalobos and the aggressive armed guards who keep Mexicans and gringos alike from having anything remotely resembling normal free access to the public beach and land that once held a community.

Perhaps.

But in the meantime, the question remains: Is there still a Tenacatita community or did Villalobos manage to destroy it along with all the businesses and homes his bulldozers turned to rubble?

Happy times, before Tenacatita Beach was seized by a Guadalajara developer

Tenacatita news too optimistic again - beach remains closed

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Tenacatita Beach remains closed and will likely remain so unless developer Jose Villalobos signs a document allowing limited access.


The following was posted by Rebalsito resident Dobie, who has been active in assisting the people evicted August 4 by security forces.

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FROM THE LA MANZANILLA MESSAGE BOARD:

     Sorry to report that the gate is still there. Yes, the beach is open if they feel like letting you in, and you show your I.D. (so they can write your name down) and you don't take a camera or a cell phone, and they'll watch you the whole time, and there are no services, and, and, and....
      In yesterday's Jornada article it says that Villalobos "could" sign the agreement this week, (which would open the beach, but with many conditions) and then he would have 5 days to get his guys out of there, or at least only on his supposed 42.5 hectares. But the conditions include days use only, no camping, no one can build palapas or open restaurants, only vendedores ambulantes (with permits, of course). Doesn't sound much like free access to me. Most people here think it's unacceptable; others feel like it's a first step.
      It's clear that it's not just governor Emilio that's backing Villalobos, but higher-ups in the federal government too.
      I find it hard to believe that they'll take the gate down, especially if they want everyone out by 6 PM. How are they going to keep people from coming back?
      But I do believe in miracles, and at this point that's what I think it'll take. 

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State Police evicting residents

 Area residents - and the persons evicted - had hoped that the beach would be reopened in time for the Christmas holidays.

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the Guadalajara-based developer who is said to be living on the Tenacatita Beach.

State police - allegedly enforcing a court order - seized the area August 4, evicting as many as 800 persons and seizing beachfront lots owned by Mexican and non-Mexican residents.

 

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

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

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

Going over the menu for first night La Manzanilla

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - Time is growing short, and already I am thinking about the first evening when Adm. Fox and I will arrive back in La Manzanilla, in December.

There will, of course, be the requisite walk along the beach to see sunset over the ocean, preceded by a sojourn about town with stops to see various amigos and check to see what is new - and what's gone.

And, of course, the most likely destination for dinner will be Palapa Joes restaurant.

LINK: Palapa Joes

Palapa Joes patrons watching the Obama inauguration last year

That first night back in town should also be a reunion with our amiga Laura from Canada (who will be teaching English in Arroyo Seco this spring) and friends from Hector, New York, Tina and Eric Hazlitt.

Laura arrives the same day as we do - Eric and Tina will be arrive a few days earlier and will likely have already discovered all the great places to eat, drink, and play.

What would be the ideal menu for me at Palapa Joes?

No need to ask.


Meatloaf supreme

Getting ready for another season of fiestas and rodeos

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - As the countdown continues until we head back to Mexico, the calendar also is getting filled up with various dates of the fiestas, rodeos, religious holidays, state holidays and a whole series of other days that seem geared toward, well, fun.

Last year, living in La Manzanilla, it seemed like there was something going on all the time. Sometimes 24 hours a day.

And if the fiesta in La Manzanilla that weekend (or entire week) wasn't enough fun, well, all you had to do was drive a half-hour to nearby Rebalsito or Melaque or Barra de Navidad or Cihuatlan or ? and a party was happening.

The photos below are from the rodeo in La Manzanilla last winter.

What a happening that was.


Admiral takes pix of the rodeo parade


Horses in the parade


Making parade music

More photos from Arroyo Seco, Tenacatita and La Manzanilla

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - In going through files this week, a treasure trove of photos has surfaced.

One shows some surfer-dudes getting ready to hit the water in Arroyo Seco. That photo is truly historic as it was taken only a few days after we decided to buy the downtown Arroyo Seco lot for a combination conference center, safari camp and cantina. And the surfer dudes - who were hungry, thirsty and looking for lodging - validated our idea of what we wanted to build (and are building) in the village.

More on how it's developing will be posted in future blogs, or in the Captain's Blog. (The link is on the right of this posting.)

Another photo is of some swimmers at the beach at Boca de Iguanas, getting ready to brave an undertow that is supposed to be fierce.

The third shot was taken while a team of professional photographers was taking wedding photos on the beach at Tenacatita.

Talk about bringing back memories...


Surfer dudes with the Admiral Fox and son Dylan Fox (cowboy hat)


Watch out for that famous Boca undertow!


Taking wedding photos at Tenacatita Beach

A handful of La Manzanilla photo updates

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - As I posted today that the TBB will be updating later this fall on a regular basis, I realized that I should post some of the photos that have come in during the months since I updated this site last.

Here's a handful:


Even small dogs love Willie's magaritas


Not the smartest move to make


Rusty sets the fish free


Admiral Fox, a horse and a cowboy


Water breaches the land by the Jardin

First posting for the Tenacatita Bay Bugle

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Today marks the first blog of the Tenacatita Bay Bugle, a publication belonging to - and to be published by - journalists Michael Fitzgerald & Sylvia Fox who are in the process of trying to move from the U.S. to the Admiralty Beach area of Tenacatita.

For persons not familiar with that part of the Costa Alegre, the pueblo of Tenacatita is at the northwest corner of Tenacatita Bay, at the end of a long crescent-shaped beach.

World headquarters for the Bugle is only two short blocks from downtown with an oceanfront view of the Pacific.


Bugle's temporary headquarters

Of course, this is just the temporary facility - grand plans are already being drafted that would make Charles Foster Kane envious.

More on when the Bugle's new building will be built and regular publishing dates will follow in coming weeks and months.

In the mean, listen for the Bugle and here's a couple of other photos from the area:


View from the publisher's office window


Tenacatita downtown, facing the bay